Mzimba aspirants want empowerment of locals

Aspiring ward councillors in Mzimba Solola Constituency have pledged to support local businesses and create employment for the youth by awarding contracts to companies in the district.

The candidates made the commitment on Wednesday during a debate funded by ActionAid and Khosolo Women Foundation.

One of the aspirants, Bekiwe Shumba, said projects should be awarded to contractors and other businesspersons in the district to promote local investments and create jobs.

“We have seen that in a number of projects the workers are hired from other districts while our youth here do not have jobs. We want our youth and others to benefit from the council projects,” he said.

Another aspirant, Alick Banda, said the council can play a great role in creating jobs by prioritising local people in projects and that can only happen if it hires companies from within the district.

Khosolo Women Forum director Joyce Mwale said the aspirants understand the problems people are facing and that voters will expect them to deliver on their promises.

“We are counting on them to change things when they win the elections,” she said.

ActionAid Mzimba district programme officer Harry Chikandila hailed the candidates for committing to improve things in the district.

However, he encouraged them to familiarise themselves with their party manifestos to boost their campaign.