Govt given 21 days ultimatum

Youths in Mzuzu, under Mzuzu Youth Association (MYA), have given government 21 days to start construction of Mzuzu Youth Centre.

During a press briefing on Tuesday, MYA coordinator Francis Chirambo said the association will hold demonstrations if government does not respect the order after 21 days.

“We have engaged government many times over the project’s delay. We cannot take verbal response any more. The youth in Mzuzu are demanding that the construction work should start before the end of 21 days failing which mass demonstrations will follow,” he said.

Chirambo said it is surprising to notice that similar projects that came later than Mzuzu Youth Centre project such as upgrading of Kamuzu Institute of Sports Indoor Netball Court in Lilongwe have started taking shape.

“We are surprised that government has prioritised similar projects in Lilongwe, leaving Mzuzu Youth Centre project that came earlier than those sports projects. This is not on because we equally need such projects,” he said.

On his part, Mwandida Theu, who was among the key speakers at the briefing, said government should stop policising the project and walk the talk.

He said: “What is shocking is that in the Malawi 2020-2021 National Budget Parliament approved the allocation of about K780 million as the first tranche to start the construction of this long-awaited Mzuzu Youth Centre project, but until today there is nothing on the ground. We are wondering whether this is a politically driven project or just any other usual project”

Reacting to the development, Minister of Youth and Sports Ulemu Msungama assured the youth in Mzuzu that the project will be implemented and that the contractor will be at the site before the end of next month to start the construction work.

“We were sorting out the contractual anomalies on the project. We are done with that and before the end of next month, the contractor will be at the site. There is no reason, therefore, to hold the demonstrations,”he said.