Mzuzu City roads in sorry state

Despite being branded the fastest growing city, Mzuzu has the worst roads, with many of them almost impassable during rainy season.

Mzuzu City mayor William Mkandawire has heaped the blame on the council for not grading the roads when funds were made available for road maintenance.

He said it is disappointing that the council secretariat leased construction equipment to private contractors when the city’s roads were in bad shape.

“Most of the roads have not been graded and I don’t understand why someone would hire out the grader when we agreed that all roads should be worked on before the rains. “Just like residents, we are also concerned with the state of the roads,” said the mayor.

Mzuzu City Council public works committee deputy chairperson Stafford Khunga claimed that the equipment was released to contractors to generate revenue for grading of roads.

He said the council needed funds and had no choice but to release the graders.

However, finance committee chairperson, Alexander Mwakikunga disputed the claims saying there was no such arrangement.

“There is need to find out who authorised to have the equipment released,” he said. n