Gesd project impresses Chitipa Council delegation

Chitipa District Council has expressed satisfaction with the implementation of projects under Governance to Enable Service Delivery (Gesd) in Nkhata Bay District. 

Speaking on Thursday during a learning visit in Nkhata Bay, Chitipa District Council Gesd project coordinator Charles Chunga said Nkhata Bay has set a good pace in implementing projects such as the construction of K60 million Mpamba Market sheds.

He said: “I am impressed with the quality of the structure. This is contrary to what we have seen in other councils.

“The workmanship is very good and the cost is reasonable. This is one of the best market structures financed through Gesd.”

Chunga urged other local authorities to identify and implement projects that will benefit people and improve service delivery.

“Let me warn officials in local authorities against abusing resources because at the end of the day, they will be held accountable as duty-bearers,” he said.

Councillor for Mahowe Ward in Chitipa, Towera Mnyenyembe described the visit to Nkhata Bay as an eye-opener and that they learnt some lessons to take home.

“Mpamba Market project is inspiring. We are currently constricting market sheds in Chitipa but we are far much behind as compared to this one,” she said.

Nkhata Bay district commissioner Rogers Newa said he was impressed with remarks from the visiting team.

He said: “It is an indication that Nkhata Bay District Council has successfully managed the project.

“I, therefore, commend my team for supervising and monitoring the project to the state it is now.”

With support from the World Bank, the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture through Malawi Local Government Association coordinates peer to peer learning exchange visits to promote sharing of best practices among local authorities.