Ntcheu to have coach terminal

Ntcheu District Council has approved plans to construct a coachline terminal at the boma.

The decision was made during a full council meeting on Wednesday.

According to director of planning and development Abubakar Nkhoma, the proposed coachline terminal will be constructed at the old bus depot.

In an interview, he said that the coachline terminal is estimated to cost K20 million and the money will be sourced from the district development fund.

“We have the money ready for construction. What is remaining is to have the design of the terminal approved before construction work starts,” said Nkhoma.

He said the district is drafting the design of the proposed terminal and after that it will be presented to a full council meeting for approval.

Nkhoma said the terminal will have an ablution block, shops and restaurants, among other facilities.

“Our plan is not just to construct a bus terminal. We would like to have a terminal yes, but with some shops and other revenue generating structures,” he said.

Making a contribution during the meeting, Inkosi ya Makosi Gomani V said it is necessary for the district to have a coachline terminal since coachline buses travelling between Blantyre and Lilongwe stop at Ntcheu Puma Filling Station.

“I feel this is not a safe place considering that it is a filling station. I, therefore, support the idea that we construct a coachline terminal which I think will be a safer place for the buses,” said Gomani V.

Also commenting on the issue, Ntcheu District Council development committee chairperson Everson Mthinda said the construction of the coachline terminal will, apart from beautifying the town, also help the council to generate revenue. n