Nkhotakota District Council emerged as a standout performer at the 4th Malawi Local Government Association (Malga) Annual Awards Gala, scooping the Best Financial Performance Council of the Year and Most Innovative Council of the Year.
The Central Region-based council was also named the Most Committed Council Towards Malawi 2063 at a ceremony held in Mangochi on Thursday night.
And Nkhotakota’s Ben Tonho winning of the District Commissioner of the Year Award, was just an icing on the cake on the council’s glittering night.
Other councils also had their moment. Lilongwe District Council was recognised as the Best Local Revenue Generating Council (District), while Mangochi Municipal Council took the award for the urban category.
In service delivery, Rumphi District and Zomba City were awarded for excellence in education, while Blantyre District Council was recognised for its achievements in health.
Machinga District Council was praised for its leap in Local Authorities Performance Assessment rankings, having moved from 28th to fifth.
Mzuzu City and Kasungu District Councils received awards for best subscription performance while Lilongwe’s district and city councils were named Most Committed Members of the Year in their respective categories.
Individual excellence was also celebrated. Lilongwe City Council’s Macloud Kadam’mamanja was named Chief Executive Officer of the Year while Zomba City Mayor Christopher Jana scooped Mayor of the Year Award, largely for his leadership in urban governance.
The awards marked the climax of the Local Government Annual General Assembly where earlier in the day Minister of Local Government Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda made symbolic award presentations.
During the event, Neno was named the Best Performing Council, the Cleanest Council of the Year Award went to Blantyre City Council, its third consecutively.
Minister’s Special Award went to Rodney Simwaka, outgoing district commissioner for Mzimba.
“He is a hardworking person and, in fact, when I want advice, I seek it from him sometimes,” Chimwendo Banda waxed lyrical about Simwaka who has been transferred to Karonga.
Phalombe district commissioner Douglas Moffat was recognised for his long service.
