Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda says it is surprising that Zomba City is not developing.
The minister made the remarks at Ku Chawe Sunbird Hotel in Zomba during the first-ever stakeholder summit organised by Zomba City Council which among other areas discussed waste management disposal, urban development and illegal vending and parking in the city.
“Zomba is the first city in Malawi but it is surprising that it is not developing,” Chimwendo said, before noting that the city’s failure to develop could be due to limited space for expansion.
He added that chiefs have greater role to play in the city because they can provide land for the city development.
Chimwendo further said that cities are important because they spur national development through job creation and hub for commercial undertakings.
To this effect, the minister asked the city to consider introducing a police unit at the Zomba bus terminal to check crime.
On illegal vending, Chimwendo further asked the council to develop a trade place to deal with people that sell their goods anywhere in the city.
Zomba City Mayor, Councillor Dave Maunde hailed the local government minister and all stakeholder for attending the first ever City Summit saying their inputs will be given much attention by the city authorities.
He therefore called on private sector, development partners, civil society organisations and city residents of good will to complement city’s efforts to develop the old capital.
Zomba City Acting Chief Executive Officer, Fred Nankuyu disclosed that Zomba City covers 39 square kilometers and some of the developments fail due to land limitation.
He added that Zomba City Council is implementing various infrastructural projects to change the face of the city citing upgrading of city roads, installing solar powered streets lights, constructing stadium and allocating land to developers for shops and office construction.
The City Summit was held under the theme; ‘A Clean City, Green City, My Right, My Responsibility’
