MPs demand ruralgrowth centres
Members of Parliament (MPs) have called on the Ministry of Local Government, Culture and Unity to upgrade some trading centres to rural growth centres.
Speaking in the House yesterday during question time Zomba Thondwe legislator Roseby Gadama (Democratic Progressive Party-DPP) said her constituents want Nasawa Trading Centre to be upgraded as a rural growth centre so that public services are offered at the centre.
Others who agreed with Gadama are Mangochi West legislator Reuben Kanyama (DPP), who wants Malembo Trading Centre to be a rural growth centre, Lilongwe Mapuyu North legislator Horace Chipuwa (Malawi Congress Party) wants Msundwe Trading Centre turned into a rural growth centre and Ntcheu North East MP Arthur Chipungu wants Kabekele Trading Centre to be a rural growth centre.
“Thondwe Trading Centre has all it takes to be upgraded to a rural growth centre, but the government has not considered it to be upgraded,” said Gadama.
In his response, Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda said the trading centres in question are fast growing, but there was need for the MPs to engage the district councils to put them in district development plans for upgrading.
“It is only after the district councils have included the trading centres in district plans and submitted to the ministry that we can take the proposal to Cabinet for consideration,” he said.
