Lilongwe City Mayor Peter Banda has come under sharp criticism after city authorities failed to take the initiative ahead of the handover of the newly constructed Lilongwe Bridge, triggering accusations that he is neglecting his duties.
The Japanese government is expected to officially hand over the bridge to the Malawi government on Thursday after certifying that all construction work has completed, Japanese Ambassador to Malawi Yasushi Naito confirmed.
Ahead of the handover, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) led a clean-up exercise at the bridge site, a move that exposed what government officials described as a lack of leadership by the Lilongwe City Council.
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Phiri expressed disappointment, saying the city authorities should have initiated the cleaning as a basic sign of partnership and appreciation to the development partner.
The bridge, constructed across the Lilongwe River to connect Old Town with the central business district, cost K37.4 billion and has been open to traffic since November 6, 2025.
Public outrage intensified after the story circulated on social media, with residents questioning Mayor Banda’s visibility and leadership.
One Facebook user, Kumbu Juma, said “The city mayor is sleeping on duty,” while others said Mayor Banda must wake up, take responsibility, and stop embarrassing both the city and the leadership entrusted to him.
