By Vincent Madalitso Chauma
Kasungu Municipal Council has described its project, which seeks to install solar-powered floodlights in all local markets surrounding the town as most cost-effective for trade activities.
Speaking after assessing the impacts of the project’s pilot phase, Mayor for the council Heese Nyangu said the project complements the Malawi Secondary Cities Plan, which longs to develop a secondary city in Kasungu.
Nyangu said: “We piloted the project at Chayamba turn-off and Kaning’a markets. The floodlights we erected there, have helped to improve security and by implication, encouraged trade activities that happen at night.
“This has encouraged us to proceed with the project in all earmarked markets.”
While appealing to other partners to come in and support the initiative, the Mayor asked the market users to own the project so as to ensure its sustainability.
One of the business operators at Chayamba turn-off market, Amidu Lukiyamu commended the council for the project.
“Before the project, I used to spend MK4,000 per month for torch batteries. Now that we have the lights, I am able to save. This time I do not have any excuse to pay cess to the council because we all have seen how the authorities are using our taxes,”said Lukiyamu.
In August 2023, Kasungu Municipal Council unveiled the plans to implement the project using locally generated revenue.
As the project has rolled to life, albeit on a pilot basis, there is hope amongst both residents and business-persons that the municipality is destined for real growth.
