Kondwani Nankhumwa blasts Lilongwe city council
Local Government and Rural Development Minister, Kondwani Nankhumwa, Wednesday went to town on officials of Lilongwe City Council telling them to pull up their socks and stop providing degrading services to residents.
Meanwhile, the Minister has given the council 24 hours to improve health and sanitation in the city which has reached alarming levels, especially in old town where broken sewage is the order of the day.
Nankhumwa, who toured a number of places, including the closed city council rest house, bus terminal, Lilongwe main market as well as Lumbadzi sewer line, said he was disappointed to see that a number of broken sewage systems have remained in that state for so many years.
“I know we will always have financial constraints but I must say I am deeply disappointed with the sorry state of health and sanitation in the city that leaves a lot to be desired. I was at pains to see the businesspeople at Lilongwe main market handling liquid sewage with bare hands. We are putting lives of our people at risk. You need to pull up your socks and change your mindset if things are to move at this council,” said Nankhumwa who addressed the officials after the tour.
The minister also wondered as to why the city council rest house in old town remains closed for over 10 years when the council claims to be sailing in financial troubles.
Said Nankhumwa, “I don’t understand when you say that you are having financial difficulties because as far as I know you are sitting on gold. That rest house has 122 rooms that are just idle and you can generate good revenue. The place at Area 13 can also be developed and the city can realise the much needed financial muscle. It’s a pity such gold is just being wasted.”
According to him although the council claims to be grappling with unpaid arrears in excess of K8.4 billion , the potential of the city to generate revenue far exceeds the output currently being shown by the council.
Nankhumwa has since challenged management of the council to work towards raising the standards of the city to meet the status of a capital city.
A vibrant writer who gives a great insight on hot topics and issues
