Blantyre residents are set to benefit from improved sanitation and cleaner surroundings following a K15 million donation of sanitation and maintenance equipment by National Bank of Malawi to Blantyre City Council.
The donation is part of the bank’s K200 million Corporate Social Responsibility programme targeting district and city councils across the country, aimed at improving public health and sanitation services.
Speaking during the official handover on Friday, NBM plc Head of Corporate Banking, William Chatsala, said the support is designed to strengthen the council’s capacity to maintain cleanliness and protect public health, in line with the bank’s Corporate Social Investment focus on health and sanitation.
“A clean and well-managed city is a shared responsibility between local authorities, the private sector, and citizens. We are confident that this equipment will enhance the Council’s operational capacity in maintaining cleanliness in the city,” said Chatsala.
He said the bank remains committed to supporting development-oriented initiatives and working with councils to respond to community challenges.
“We remain open to further collaboration aligned to development priorities, whether in infrastructure, environmental management, or community-centred initiatives,” he said.
Blantyre City Mayor, Councillor Isaac Jomo Osman, described the donation as timely, saying it comes as the council prepares to roll out the ‘Keep Blantyre Clean’ campaign.
“We sincerely thank the bank for this support. We are making deliberate efforts to keep the city clean, and several initiatives are already underway to improve service delivery,” said Osman.
He also urged residents to take responsibility for maintaining cleanliness and making proper use of sanitation facilities and equipment, warning that cholera cases are rising in the city.
“Through this donation, NBM plc is also helping to protect residents from the spread of cholera. As the city’s population continues to grow, it is the responsibility of every resident to play a role in keeping Blantyre clean,” he said.
The donated items include gumboots, heavy-duty PVC gloves, brooms, and other sanitation equipment intended to support frontline cleaning and maintenance teams across the city.
