Nankhumwa clarifies APM payments to vendors

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Kondwani Nankhumwa says the money given to vendors affected by fire at various markets is not compensation but a consolation from President Peter Mutharika.

Mzuzu City Market vendors received K7.5 million (about $ 11 699), Mzimba K13.5 million (about $ 21 058), Kasungu K23.8 million (about $ 37125), Mwanza K3 million (about $ 4,679) and Area 18 Market in Lilongwe got K2.8 million (about $ 4 367).

Nankhumwa said on Wednesday in an interview that vendors should not take the money as compensation for their damaged property but a consolation from the President.

“The money is from his pocket and is not compensation. The President is consoling them from the humanitarian point of view,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kasungu Market vendors have started constructing the gutted structures on their own.

Kasungu Market chairperson Barnet Sanudi said they decided to construct them because Kasungu Municipal Council said it did not have funds to do the job.

Kasungu Municipal Council mayor Ireen Katola said the municipality has been under-collecting revenue as much of it comes from market fees.

Said Katola: “It is a pathetic situation we are in but the good thing is that the vendors have taken upon themselves to built the structures.”n