Karonga TTC cafésealed over debt
Suppliers of goods closed a cafeteria at Karonga Teachers’ Training College (TTC) on Wednesday over a K25 million unsettled debt.
Two weeks ago, the 13 suppliers threatened to seal the administrative offices and classrooms over the unpaid debt, but Karonga district commissioner (DC) Paul Kalilombe asked them to wait for a week.
However, the suppliers returned at 10am on Wednesday and they sealed the cafeteria, a development which took about 530 students by surprise as they found the place sealed at lunch with no explanation from management.
Desperate for food, students were seen leaving the campus to buy something in town to eat. The students did not return to class after lunch and normal learning only resumed yesterday on the campus.
In an interview, the suppliers’ chairperson Black Ng’ambi said they marched peacefully two weeks ago to deliver a petition to the DC’s office and the TTC’s principal Edward Kalua to force payment which has not been honoured for nine months.
But immediately after sealing the cafeteria, Kalilombe and the TTC management summoned the disgruntled suppliers to a meeting.
Said Ng’ambi: “The DC has assured us that he will personally follow up the issue with the concerned sector and will report back to us after two weeks.
“We have, therefore, opened the kitchen to pave the way for the DC to push for our payment.”
Kalilombe said yesterday the situation is exerting pressure to his office.
He said: “The pressure is too much. I understand that the technical hitches are to do with the Integrated Financial Management and Information Systems at the National Treasury.
“My plea, therefore, is for Treasury to arrange for payment through a cheque to settle this once and for all.” n
