‘Don’t politicise development projects’

Communities in Kaliyeka Ward in Lilongwe City South East Constituency have asked politicians to end politicisation of development projects.

Communities argue that the tendency is denying Malawians their right to social development.

Communities members said this on Wednesday during a  debate National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust organised to give contestants a chance to articulate their development agenda ahead of the November 1 2016 Local Government by-elections.

One of the community members, Leonard Banda, observed that since Malawi reverted to multiparty democracy through a June 14 1993 referendum , politicians have used development projects to stay longer in office.

He asked the aspiring councillors to explain how they will handle development projects to everyone regardless of political affiliation.

Another member, Linda Manda, said Malawi is lagging behind in terms of development because politicians personalise or attach development projects to parties in power.

Stella Mlowoka-Nyasulu (Democratic Progressive Party-DPP), Richard Banda (Malawi Congress Party-MCP) and Rashid Kalulu (People’s Party-PP),  acknowledged the practice.

However, they were quick to point out that being a new generation of politicians, they are ready to change the practice.

Lilongwe Urban Nice district civic education officer Hajira Ali said the questions voters posed demonstrated that people are aware of the roles and responsibilities of duty-bearers.

Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) commissioner Yahaya Mmadi was one of the people that attended the debate. n