Govt admits lack of capacity in fighting fires

Government has admitted that district and city councils are not properly equipped to fight fires and has since appealed to the business community and well-wishers to support them with equipment.

In recent months, the country has experienced a series of fires that have destroyed markets, commercial buildings, residential houses and lives.

Speaking in an interview on Sunday, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Kondwani Nankhumwa said with economic challenges facing the country, it is impossible for government to fully equip councils’ fire departments.

He said fire accidents affect everyone and there is need to find ways of preventing them.

Mzuzu City legislator Leonard Njikho has also called for proper training of firefighters.

“I noted that most of them did not know how to handle the engines and that affected their effectiveness in fighting the fires,” said Njikho, in an apparent reference to the fire that hit Mzuzu Central Market  last Wednesday.

Mzuzu Vendors’ president James Kasambara suggested that government should also have fire-fighting planes.

Nankhumwa said the idea was good but the country is facing economic challenges.