Some residents of Botanic and Zolozolo townships in Mzuzu City have petitioned the Ministry of Finance to provide funds for the construction of Luwinga –Mzuzu Government bypass road.
The residents said the road is almost impassable especially during the rainy season as it is bumpy muddy and full of risky potholes.
The residents, who stormed Mzuzu Mayor’s office on Friday, have threatened to stop paying ground rates to Mzuzu City Council if the council will not push for the completion of the road.
A representative, Paul Mvula, said they are demanding K3.5 billion from the K5.5 billion which was allocated for the construction of the bypass.
“We are concerned that Mzuzu City Council is not benefitting from the funding and this is the reason Malawians booted DPP [Democratic Progressive Party] out of government because we didn’t really like the way they were apportioning resources to city and district councils. Mzuzu City has been a victim.
“These are some of things which we don’t want to be repeated because we hope this regime will hear the concerns of people. This road has all necessary designs and the contractor on the site. What we are asking for is just K3.5 billion to complete the road,” Mvula said.
Mayor for Mzuzu City, Councillor Kondwani Brian Nyasulu, said the residents’ complaint is genuine, adding the council will deliver the petition to relevant authorities.
“The project cost is about K3.2 billion and what we have received so far is about K213 million. This means we are indeed receiving in small numbers and that is not enough and the petition is very genuine,” Nyasulu said.
He however said if the residents will boycott paying ground rates, they will pay in arrears once construction of the road is completed.
Construction of the 10.4 Kilometre bypass road connecting M5 Road at Mzuzu Government Secondary School to M1 Road at Luwinga is behind schedule, with only two Kilometre of the stretch finished.
