Filthy Mzuzu appals Veep

Vice-President Saulos Chilima has expressed concern with the appalling state of sanitation in Mzuzu City which has piling loads of garbage dumped in almost all corners of the central business district and townships.

He was speaking yesterday at the start of his engagement with Northern Region-based heads of parastatals and local councils as part of the public sector reforms process.

Said Chilima on his Facebook Page: “I am appalled by the poor waste management in Mzuzu City. I have suggested to the council to strongly consider launching a Keep Mzuzu City Clean initiative where residents would be involved to save the city from its current state of affairs.

“Meanwhile, I am convinced that Mzuzu Airport still has the potential and capacity to handle aircraft that would export produce from the region such as coffee and beef in the short-term arrangement.”

For this to happen, Chilima said the city needs to liaise with the Department of Civil Aviation to construct a fence so that the airport is no longer a footpath or a grazing area for cattle and goats.

In an interview after the engagement, Public Sector Reforms chief director Seodi White said for cities to perform, there is need to come up with clear individual performance plans.

“We have to be clear about individual performance in the public service. We have to know what person XYZ is doing all the days and how that person can be made accountable. That way, if you put someone in charge, they will know that there is an accountability plan that they are answerable for to their superiors.”

On his part, Mzuzu City Council chief executive officer Gomezgani Nyasulu said the issue of sanitation is diverse and needs help from the central government.

He said: “Issues of sanitation have been left completely in the hands of city councils. Yes, we are independent, but we feel that councils may not have the capacity to mobilise appropriate equipment to effectively provide services.