Bingu Stadium vandalism irks Chinese ambassador

Chinese Ambassador Wang Shi-Ting Wang says it is the responsibility of every Malawian to take care of the new $67 million Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe as it is a national landmark worthtreasuring.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ceremony of exchanging notes on technical cooperation for the stadium and donation of office equipment and furniture to the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Tourism in Lilongwe yesterday, Wang said it is disheartening that some people are ransacking the facility instead of caring for it.

“We are sad to hear such disturbing reports. It is the responsibility of every Malawian to take care of the stadium because it is a national treasure,” he said.

The ambassador added that the technical cooperation for the stadium will last three years and that seven experts will be dispatched to provide technical service on operation and maintenance of facilities at the stadium.

“That will help the Malawi government to properly operate and maintain the stadium whose total investment was about $67 million,” he said.

On why they decided to donate office equipment to a ministry,  Wang said they were appalled with the working conditions thereand the donation will provide employees a comfortable working environment.

Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Develoment Goodall Gondwe commended the Chinese government for the gesture, saying increasing Malawians’ capacity to take care of infrastructure will help government take care of the stadium with ease for the benefit of the country’s youth.

“This stadium is what welcomes everybody when arriving in Lilongwe and for us to keep it in use for a long time we need expertise from the Chinese. Our youth will always be happy to have a stadium that is well maintained because then they will be assured of using it for many year’s to come,” said Gondwe. n