Chimwendo presenting award to one of the winning cities

Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda has reaffirmed government commitment to creating dazzling cities free of “mountains of garbage” as one way of removing obstacles that impede the promotion of tourism, hygiene and sanitation among others.

The Minister was speaking yesterday in Salima where he was the Guest of Honour at the opening of 17th Annual General Assembly of the Malawi Local Government Association (MALGA).

This year’s meeting is being held under the theme of “Galvanizing actions for building resilient and committed local government authorities towards Malawi 2063 Amidst prevailing Social- economic Challenges”.

In his remarks, Chimwendo said it is important to keep the cities pollution-free and dispose of wet waste because cleanliness is next to godliness.

“The goal is to free our cities from these “hills of garbage” and make our cities clean because in that way, all diseases that are caused by air and water pollution in the cities and towns will be defeated at prevention level.

“The filthiness around our cities is a great impediment to socioeconomic transformation of this country as tourism sector which is one key area of economic growth that can not help to generate forex because no  tourist can visit our country under such conditions,” said  Chimwendo Banda who also expressed his gratitude to sanitation workers across the country for their sacrifice and dedication to work.

Some of the delegates at the meeting

Chimwendo further said under the cleanliness drive, sewerage and sanitation systems will be improved not only in cities but also in slums and villages. He said as part of integrated solution, dumping sites would be identified from village for disposal of solid waste.

Chimwendo also warned the city authorities that if they don’t clean the cities, they either be cleaned by government  or do the rightful thing by taking brooms and clean.

Speaking to reporters after opening the meeting, Chimwendo said that Malawians deserve better from the city authorities.

CHIMWENDO:The filthiness around our cities is a great impediment to socioeconomic transformation

“We will prepare a list of cities and towns that have kept their eyes closed as if they have nothing to do. We can compile a list and publish them and that will trigger pressure for them to work for the poor Malawians, ” said Chimwendo Banda who is also leader of government business in Parliament.

He later congratulated the Blantyre, Salima and Mchinji respectively for winning the K2 million “Most Improved Clean Council Minister’s Award” and urged others to emulate that in the next competition.

Over 100 delegates are attending the General Assembly pooled from all Cities Towns, Municipalities and District Councils across the country.

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