Thursday, May 26, 2022
  • About Us
  • ImagiNATION
  • Adverts
  • Rate Card
  • Contact Us
The Nation Online
Advertisement
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home Editors Pick

Councillors rebuff motorcycle loans

by James Chavula
08/10/2014
in Editors Pick, National News
3 min read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on WhatsAppShare on LinkedinLinkedinShare via Email

Councillors in the Northern Region have torn apart government plans to offer them K1million loans strictly for motorcycles.

The conditions of service, spelled out in Mzuzu on Monday by director of local government Hastings Botha, entitle the councillors to a K1million (about $2 631) loan.

  Mkandawire (L): The loans are restrictive

Mkandawire (L): The loans are restrictive

“You can take it or leave it,” said Botha at the belated regional meeting on their entitlements.

But the councillors elected five months ago, speaking through Mzuzu City mayor William Mkandawire, are petitioning government to increase the loan and scrap off the conditionality underpinning them to spend it on motorcycles alone.

They feel motorcycles are a harsh mode of transport, especially to women and councillors in cities and waterside localities.

Facing Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Tracizio Gowelo, Mkandawire said: “The loans that remain unpaid to councillors are inadequate and restrictive to say they should only be used for buying motorcycles.”

The councillors also petitioned government to repeal stipulations in the amended Local Government Act, which allow members of Parliament (MPs) to vote during local councils’ meetings. They feel it is “unreasonable and greedy” for one person to vote in two chambers.

“Ward councillors don’t have a say on decisions MPs make in Parliament and we wonder why they are allowed to vote in the local councils as well. As councillors, we want MPs to respect the political boundaries to avoid tension,” said Mkandawire.

When asked, Gowelo said the ministry cannot make a commitment to review the loans until the concerns are tabled in Cabinet which approved the decried conditions of services.

But he pledged to take “the unpopular task” of awakening Parliament to the fact that it is inappropriate for MPs to continue voting at local government level following the election of councillors in May.

“It is Parliament that made this law and it can only be undone by the MPs,” said Gowelo.

The role of MPs and council employees was bloated in the past nine years as the country was operating without councillors.

Tags: CouncillorsMotorcycleMzuzu City Council
Previous Post

NAC boss sent on forced leave

Next Post

Water for People defends borehole use

Related Posts

MRA Msonkho House
Business News

Forex shortages could affect evenue collection—MRA

May 26, 2022
Gwengwe: We have started negotiations
Front Page

Govt, IMF talk deal

May 26, 2022
Front Page

Minister orders Martse’s death inquiry

May 26, 2022
Next Post
More boreholes like these are needed in the Lower Shire

Water for People defends borehole use

Opinions and Columns

Business Unpacked

Tame egos, take risks to grow economy

May 26, 2022
People’s Tribunal

What was that press briefing all about?

May 22, 2022
Big Man Wamkulu

Wife, in-law plotting my downfall

May 22, 2022
My Thought

Tonse Alliance died on arrival

May 22, 2022

Trending Stories

  • Mutharika on the campaign trail in 2019

    APM under pressure

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Musician Martse in hospital after fire accident

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Kalindo earmarked for diplomatic post

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Nyasa Mobile Limited partners Vodafone

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Blantyre-based artists see off Martse

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Malawi-Music.com Top10

  • Values
  • Our Philosophy
  • Editorial policy
  • Advertising Policy
  • Code of Conduct
  • Plagiarism disclaimer
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use

© 2022 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Entertainment
  • Life & Style
    • Every Woman
      • Soul
      • Family
    • Religion
    • Feature
  • Society
  • Columns
  • Sports
  • Chichewa
  • Enation

© 2020 Nation Publications Limited. All Rights Reserved.

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. Visit our Privacy and Cookie Policy.