Mzuzu City Council Meets Backlash At Summit

Malawi, Mzuzu: The Mzuzu City Council has received mixed reactions in its quest to solicit views from the general public in an effort to enhance the socio-economic development of the city in line with the Malawi 2063 agenda.

The council held its first ever City Summit at Gland Palace Hotel where various stakeholders gathered to brainstorm and find solutions to challenges affecting the development of the city.

The summit which was held under the theme: Urban Renewal and Economic Growth among others focused on waste management, vending, local revenue generation, transport and connectivity of the fastest growing city.

To the amazement of many, most presenters made references to the urban structure plan implementations of the Ugandan city of Kampala and the Kigali in Rwanda which were developed using the Malawi Vision 2020 to reach their current status

However, in his presentation on waste management Dr Rucell Chidya of Mzuzu University and Robert Tauka of the University of Livingstonia highlighted on the need for a proper blue print guiding the council on vending.

“It is sad that the council is yet to develop its blue print to provide guidance on vending in the city as the absence of the same poses some challenges in the delivery of social services,” Chidya said

In his address during the opening of the summit the local government, unity and culture minister, Richard Chimwendo Banda challenged all relevant stakeholders in the creation of city solutions aimed at enhancing Socio-economic development towards the fulfillment of the urban structure plan in line with the Malawi 2063 agenda.

“Let me challenge all the stakeholders working towards the smooth implementation of the urban structure plan and the Malawi 2063 agenda in ensuring public or community participation towards sustainable Socio-economic development of the Mzuzu City,” Chimwendo said.

In their presentations, academicians, specialists and other speakers urged authorities to to borrow a leaf from the Ugandan capital city, Kampala and the rising central African business hub, city of Kigali in Rwanda which was developed using the Malawi Vision 2020 in the development of their urban structure plan implementation strategy.

In his remarks the Mzuzu City mayor, Councillor Gift Desire Nyirenda pledged the council’s commitment in ensuring community participation in its decision making process saying the approach has assisted in the procurement of a refuse collection vehicle which is crucial in waste management.

“We have established working committees that have been tasked to oversee some services the council offers and through these committees I am happy to report to you that we have managed to procure a refuse collection vehicle which is important in waste management and such a milestone cannot go unnoticed,” said the Mayor.

In his closing remarks of the summit, the deputy minister of Local government, unity and culture, Owen Chomanika had no any kind words for the councils ailing financial state which he said is contributing to the dwindling lifestyles of people in the city of Mzuzu.

Chomanika has therefore emphasized on the need to separate politics from Socio-economic development activities within the democratic institutions for sustainable growth to flourish which should be demand driven.