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Rapid population growth blamed for poor service

Rapid growth of Lilongwe, which is said to be the highest in the country, has resulted in poor service delivery in the city.

Action Aid Malawi women rights manager for Central Region, Chikumbutso Ngosi Ndaferankhande, disclosed this on Tuesday during a meeting between residents and service providers. 

Lilongwe is a centre of attraction for rural-urban migration

She stressed the need for joint action to eradicate poverty, control the population and rapid urbanisation in the city.

Ndaferankhande observed that the rapid growth of Lilongwe has brought challenges of insecurity, robbery and water shortages to women and girls.

“There is need for council’s capacity to design and implement sustainable programmes to improve the city’s image,” she said.

She observed that Lilongwe is not prepared for migrating population resulting in urban migrants ending in poverty.

She said 42 percent of the townships are dissatisfied with electricity services and that connection fees are beyond the reach of the urban poor.

“It is important to ensure that we get the voice of the poor themselves to balance the equation of human rights to ensure that the rights  holders are there to hold duty-bearers accountable,” said Ndaferankhande.

Lemon Kawale, a member of the Lilongwe Urban Poor People’s Network, bemoaned the inequality in access to services by people living in informal section settlements in Lilongwe where population growth is higher.

The meeting drew settlers from Area 49, Mgona, Area 25, Ntandire, Kauma and Area 36, among others. n

 

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