Mzimba Boma residents have expressed excitement following the installation of streetlights.
The M’mbelwa District Council installed the lights at a cost of K99 million from the District Development Fund.
A Chanthomba resident Albert Gondwe in an interview on Wednesday said the lights have made walking at night around the Boma safe.
Mzimba Boma. I Joel Phiri
“It was not safe walking in the dark as that gave a chance to thugs to harass people,” he said.
Gondwe urged residents to safeguard the poles from vandalism.
Ephraim Songa, a student at Mzimba Business College, said together with his friends they always walked in groups when going to attend night classes but now the streetlights have made walking at night safe.
“This is a good development as it has helped create a better walking environment. We can see far at night and when we notice something, we can react in time,” he said.
A businessperson Rebecca Ndhlazi said the solar-powered lights will also help them when Escom [Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi] power is out.
“We were failing to conduct business during blackouts but now we have light all the time,” she said.
The council’s director of trade Chimwemwe Sichinga said the streetlights have brought a sense of security to traders and buyers.
He said buyers and traders can now conduct business without fear of criminals lurking in the dark.
Mzimba Police Station spokesperson Maria Banda said the streetlights have reduced cases of people being mugged and robbed around the boma.
“The streetlights have helped enhance security,” she said
