Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) says property owners in the country’s urban areas will have to bear the cost of postcode numbers and signposts in the $25 million (about K27 billion) National Addressing System Project.
The project, which was rolled out in December 2016 in Blantyre on a pilot phase, among others, includes six components of a national postcode system, addressing standards, address and postcode database, geographic information system support for the addressing database and public awareness.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement in Blantyre yesterday, Macra acting director of postal services Burnet Namacha said out of the $25 million project cost, $22.8 million (about K24 billion) is projected to go towards the purchasing of signposts.
He, however, said for rural residents, Macra will bear the costs, which the regulator said will come from Universal Postal Union and other sources. He said proposals on the same were already sent.
Namacha, however, said the project has been marred by vandalism, funding challenges and lack of data.
He said: “Macra does not have an allocation for this exercise from government. We are relying on property owners to bear the costs for this project to come into full scale by 2030.
“This project is for all sectors of the economy and once fully implemented, it will modernise cities, towns and villages as this is a key pillar of a developed society.”
Through its pilot phase, the project reached the cities of Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Zomba as well as all districts in the Northern Region, namely Chitipa, Karonga, Rumphi, Mzimba, Likoma and Nkhata Bay.
In July this year, Macra unveiled postcodes following their publication in the Malawi Government Gazette.
Speaking in an interview after the engagement, Blantyre City Council chairperson Mike Malikita said the council will enforce by-laws to have the projects implemented fully.
He said they will work with law enforcement agencies to tame vandalism.
Notice number 37 of the Malawi Government Gazette indicates that the postcodes became effective on May 10 this year and were developed by Macra. The postcodes are expected to enhance service delivery in the posts and courier industry following the introduction of a comprehensive system of property location, numbering, mapping and any associated processes.
According to Macra, some of the benefit of the National Address System include increased revenue to government through tax collection, facilitation of domestic and cross-border trade through provision for home delivery of services (e-commerce) and increased opportunities for private sector marketing and analysis through improved targeting.
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