Business people welcome mobile network project
Karonga and Chitipa business people have welcomed government’s plans to embark on a multi-million kwacha Last Mile Connectivity (LMC) project that will end phone network, radio and television signal challenges in hilly areas.
The development came to light on Saturday when Minister of Information, Civic Education and Communications Technology Mark Botomani with four other Cabinet ministers met the two district’s business people in Chitipa.
He said once implemented, mobile phone users will be using local network instead of that of Zambia and Tanzania.
Botomani said his ministry will install towers in low lying and hilly areas to boost signal and network connectivity.
“We realise how important strong signal and reliable Internet network is in the modern world. This is why we want to bridge the gap that is there so that people should not miss anything,” he said.
Hanga Ward councillor in Chitipa North Constituency Mercy Mpoha, who is also Chitipa District Council vice-chairperson, said people in most parts of the district listen to Tanzanian and Zambian radio stations, watch foreign channels and use foreign mobile phone networks.
“This is a viable project that will change people’s socio-economic lives,” she said.
A Misuku resident Kelvin Silungwe said this will enable people get real time information.
In a separate interview, Karonga’s Radio Dinosaur station manager Daud Mwagomba said the radio signal will increase its listenership in the two districts.
“We are happy for the development because our coverage is limited to a small area,” he said. Malawi Government jointly with Peoples Republic of China are implementing the project to the tune of K8 billion.