BCC unready for festive season

Artists will have to plan adequately and share the few private entertainment venues during the festive season and New Year parties as government has said the only public venue, Blantyre Cultural Centre (BCC), will not be available for use.
Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture Moses Kunkuyu said this yesterday when asked why the venue is still closed 13 days after the day he ordered the venue to be reopened.
Earlier this month, Kunkuyu ordered that the venue be opened for public use by December 10. However, a visit to the premise on Saturday showed that the venue is still closed.
“It is true, the venue is not open for use during the festive season and part of January. We have not suspended the order, but we decided to hold on because there are some issues to be sorted out. The opening of the venue was subject to only the amphitheatre, but there are some renovations that are supposed to be done before it can be used. These are yet to be done,” said Kunkuyu.
He said this is also in respect of the contract given to a firm that will do the partial renovations.
“We hired a contractor to do the job, but the job has stalled due to lack of some materials. We need special grass and bamboos for the renovations and these come from Mangochi,” said Kunkuyu.
He also disclosed that the renovations have been halted due to lack of funds.
Kunkuyu said they need about K5 million (US$11 933) for the work.
“It seems the suppliers of the materials are not committed because we have not given them the money. I believe once we have the money and pay, they will provide the service. This will be my first assignment when we return to office next month and I am optimistic we will find the money,” he said.
BBC, formerly French Cultural Centre (FCC), has been in a dilapidated state since it was acquired from the French government in 2010.