NATIONAL NEWS (5373)
Malawi’s First Coach Terminal to Open in Mzuzu
Mzuzu, which is dubbed Malawis fast growing city, will be the first to have a Coach terminal that will be operational by 1st October this year.
Chief Executive Officer of the City Gomegzani Nyasulu says this is one of the resolutions made during the Mzuzu City Summit held two weeks ago, and the city is expecting to be collecting K9 million every month from about 7 local and international operators.
“Our simple calculations tell us that, with the operators we have, we will be generating at least K300 thousand Kwacha per day. And by the end of the month, the council will be having K9 million from the terminal.” said Nyasulu.
He added, that at the new facility, authorities will not allow Callboys and vending.
Mzuzu, will be the first city in Malawi to have such a terminal and there is an opening for the private sector to partner in managing the facility.
Mayor of the City Councilor Gift Desire Nyirenda says this will bring sanity in terms of Coach parking stations.
Explained Councilor Nyirenda: “Mzuzu is fast fast-growing city in the country. It is our wish that we provide the needs of the residents of this city. We may delay, but surely we will get there.”
The Mayor also says Councilors will monitor the development to ensure effective utilization of proceeds from the terminal.
The Coach Terminal will be located on the premises of Shire Bus Lines Company just adjacent to the Clock Tower in the city.
This year, government took over the management of all Shire Bus Company bus depots from Mulli Group of companies after High Court ordered that all such facilities, which were illegally possessed by the group, be handed over to local councils.
Plan Malawi Suggests Establishment Of District Bursary Committees
Plan International Malawi has suggested the establishment of district bursary committees that will be mobilizing funds to support needy students.
Change4Us Urges Thyolo Youths to Care for Environment
A Thyolo based youth organization, Change4Us has challenged young people in the country to go green in a bid to help in mitigating the effects of climate change.
Over Half of Malawians Living in Poverty Bondage
At least 58.8 percent of Malawians are yet to break multidimensional poverty chains with the rural population dominating the list, a second national Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report has revealed.
Evidence Action Assures to do More on Provision of Clean Water
A water and sanitation organisation, Evidence Action, says it has so far spent K4 billion to promote water treatment in rural areas of seven districts in Malawi.
Stakeholders Pray for Insecurity in Thyolo
Various stakeholders in Thyolo on Thursday gathered at Nambala 1 ground in praying for the district.
US Embassy Decries Rising Crime in Lilongwe
The American Embassy in Malawi has raised security concerns with increased crime in Lilongwe city this year warning its citizens to take extra caution.
A security alert from the embassy issued on 31 August indicates that the number of
crimes reported from January to August 2023, in area 10, 12 and 43, has nearly matched the total cases reported in the whole of 2022.
Reads part of the security alert: “This increase in crime is correlated with a heightened risk to foreign visitors and to the expatriate community.”
US Embassy Public Relations Officers, Namita Biggins, confirmed the development to Zodiak Online, adding the embassy has since issued the warning and recommendations for preventive actions to their citizens.
The security alert names home invasions, theft, car-jacking and break-ins as some of the crimes that frequently occur in the city.
It further says, other crimes such as kidnappings, though not frequent,also do occur in the city and other places in the country.
However, the police have dismissed this. Deputy national police spokesperson Alfred Chimthere told us crime in the city has actually declined this year in the said areas.
“The data that we have for car-jacking and others from January to June shows a 10 percent reduction from 41 cases in 2022 to 31 in 2023.”
He however said they will engage the American embassy to consolidate the figures and also ensure they provide maximum security in the city and other parts of the country.
Meanwhile, a security expert Master Mfune has dared the police to intensify patrols as one way of addressing the problem.
“The police should intensify their security, the normal patrols that they used to have are no longer there. In the past we could meet police officers on patrol, but now they have reduced,” said Mfune.
The American citizens in the country have since been advised to beware of their surroundings, be vigilant when visiting banks, Auto-teller Machines (ATMs) and should not display wealth by wearing expensive jewelry and watches. They have also been advised against resisting any robbery attempt, take caution when driving at night and desist from walking after dark.
Farmers Advised to Switch to Commercial Agriculture
Lilongwe District Council has asked farmers to commercialise their agricultural productivity by, among other things, adding value to their produce and making it stand competitively on the international market.
Court Finishes Hearing Homosexuality Case
A panel of three judges, sitting as a constitutional court in Blantyre says it will deliver its judgement on a homosexuality case at a date to be communicated.
Standard Bank Donates Textbooks To Limbuli Education Zone In Mulanje
Standard Bank Malawi on Tuesday donated 3750 textbooks worth K10.2 million to Limbuli Education Zone in Mulanje district.
