Ministry, cities spar over breathalysers

 Deputy Minister of Local Government Owen Chomanika has accused mayors and chief executive officers of inefficiency to develop cities but the city fathers say the central government is equally to blame.

In his presentation during a two-day mayors and deputy mayors’ orientation organised by his ministry and the Malawi Local Government Association (Malga) in Salima yesterday, Chomanika said cities are dying largely due to poor leadership which is also the reason for high turnover of mayors in Malawi.

The Deputy Minister appealed to the city fathers to reflect on their role and how they can make their cities competitive in the interest of the people.

Chomanika said: “Cities die because of corruption. Most favoured people in our cities are not Malawians. A foreigner calls for an appointment you meet them within minutes but an indigenous will have to wait for weeks.

“If there will be chaos in this country, it is because of mayors. Foreigners are getting land in these cities. Numerous plots but indigenous people cannot.”

But in response, mayors blamed the central government for stifling cities growth. They cited breath tests as one of central government’s decisions derailing cities’ growth.

Blantyre City deputy mayor Jomo Osman said bars and bottle stores are major sources of income for many citizens but with breathalysers the business is down.

“Honestly, this is fundraising. Look at the fines; K200 000? This arrangement has ended up benefitting individual police officers instead of reducing accidents. This business helps the economy of cities to thrive but with breathalysers you are affecting growth of business,” said Osman.

Responding to the concerns, Chomanika said the mayors needed to appreciate that drink–driving was contributing to a high number of road accidents hence these measures.

But the councillors did not buy Chomanika’s response. Blantyre City mayor Joseph Makwinja had to walk from his seat to speak close to the minister at the podium, challenging his thinking that breath tests serve any meaningful purpose.

He argued that Kabaza (motorcycle taxis) should be a major concern, as it is causing more accidents in the city and needed to be regulated.

Lilongwe City mayor Esther Sagawa added her voice saying with breath tests have led most residents to drink at joints within their locations where police are also mounting roadblocks.

“One wonders what the intention is. You find them mounting a road block in the locations. I thought we need to look at this issue critically,” she pleaded.

Chomanika said this is a decision that needed to involve the police but pointed out that cities need to look at the issue holistically, including improving transport system so that citizens can use those when drunk, instead driving after drinking.

In his address, Chomanika said the other reasons cities are dying is because of corruption.

“Foreigners have it easy. A foreigner can get an appointment with a mayor within minutes but for a citizen from Nambuma it would take weeks. Foreigners own several plots of land but indigenous Malawians cannot,” he said.

But Osman also accused the central government of interference in the operations of councils.

“We want to remove street vendors but you come in saying that we are sabotaging government. Things will not change if we always think of elections in our decision-making. Let’s not fear elections, but do what is right” added Osman.

In an interview, Malga chief executive officer Hadrod Mkandawire said they appreciate concerns from the deputy minister but urged the central government to desist from micro-managing councils.

“We agree there is need to improve performance of councils. But central government should not interfere. Allow councils to operate as required by the law,” he said