Asian community donates to LL vendors

The Lilongwe Asian Business Community (Labc) has donated 3 000 iron sheets and 600 bags of cement worth K15 million to Lilongwe City Council (LCC) for the reconstruction of Lilongwe Market that was gutted by fire last month.

Presenting the materials on Tuesday, Labc chairperson Yusuf Abubaker said they are committed to supporting the vendors in their recovery efforts from the damage the fire caused.

“A few weeks ago, we pledged to donate these materials. This fulfillment of our promise has given us a sense of satisfaction because the iron sheets and cement will help our fellow brothers and sisters to rebuild their businesses,” he said.

LCC director of commerce Genscher Mbwabwa said the materials will help the council build a more secure market.

“The razed market shops were largely made of wood and plastic papers, thereby making it easy for them to catch fire. But now we want to build a facility that is safe and long-lasting,” he stated.

Daniel Kamala, secretary for the Malawi Union for Informal Sector, which represented the vendors, welcomed the donation, saying the construction of a secure building will erase the fear of business losses.

He said: “As the vendors are re-building, there is a general fear that the goods will be destroyed again if the reconstruction materials are not safe. But now they are assured that the strong building will offer full security to their property,” he said. n