ICT-based project enhances citizen interaction with service providers
Over 228 reports from citizens across Malawi have been generated through Mzinda platform, an online web interaction whose objective is to foster citizen participation and interaction with leaders in their
communities.
The reports which include 122 generated through Short Messages (SMS) and 106 web based, border around issues of water, electricity, waste collection, roads, security, sanitation and street lighting.
Mzinda platform is an online hub where citizens engage their councillors or authorities on challenges being faced in their communities by either sending a short message (SMS) or posting on the hub highlighting those issues.
The Hub, established just over eight months ago is being run in conjunction with Story Workshop Educational Trust (SWET) and Citizen For Justice (CFJ)
In a recent interview Projects Officer for Mhub, Blesings Chavula said It is interesting to note that councillors, members of Parliament (MPs) and officials from service providers like the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom), water boards and City councils have been responsive to reports within their respective areas of responsibility.
“So far the Mzinda web platform has recorded 85 responses to the 228 reports made. This represents an average response rate of 37.28%. According to preliminary results of the baseline study 12.8% of
citizens had engaged with a councillor; 16.4% of citizens had engaged with the local city council; 6.4% had engaged with an MP whilst 51.2% had engaged with service providers such as water boards and Escom.
Chavula further said a weekly radio program on citizen engagement is being aired every Sunday evening on private owned Zodiak Broadcasting Station.
He said: “Through the program, we hope to reach out to 76% of the radio audience in Malawi.
“Mhub has recently developed an Android mobile application for Mzinda to enhance convenient citizen engagement besides use of SMS and direct reports through the Mzinda web platform.
