Concerned citizens demand accountability

Concerned citizens in Nkhata Bay have demanded transparency and accountability from duty-bearers in the district.

The group, known as Voice of Nkhatabians or Mulomo Wa Wena Tonga, held demonstrations at the boma on Tuesday to push authorities at Nkhata Bay District Council to address their concerns.

In an interview, Mulomo Wa Wena Tonga secretary Goodwin Lot Njikho said the council awarded a contract to a firm to construct a bridge at Thanula in Traditional Authority Timbiri in 2019, but up to now it is not completed.

He said the K18 million contract was for three months from June to August 2019.

Said Njikho: “As the voice for the people of Nkhata Bay, we find this totally unacceptable as it retards development.

“Above all, it is a misuse of government resources.”

The group has since given the council 30 days for either the contractor to complete the project or payback in full the whole contract money to the council.

Other issues in the petition included Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi’s delay to connect power to applicants, delay by the magistrate’s court to remit fines to victims and alleged favouritism in recruitment of junior workers at the council.

Nkhata Bay District Council director of administration John Bosco Baluti, who received the petition, said they will respond to the issues accordingly.

“The bridge issue is equally our concern and plans are underway to address the situation,” he said.