By Linda Kwanjana
Malawi President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has set aside K4.2 billlion with an aim of Developing Rural Growth Centre.
Chakwera Government is championing the Malawi agenda 2063 which has various enablers and urbanization is one of the enablers.
According to a list of Government priority projects seen by our reporters K4.2 billion will be used to develop Nkanda in Mchinji, Chitekesa in Phalombe and Nambuma in Dowa.
For starters Rural growth centres is the development initiative which aims at stopping the local population from migrating into towns.
The initiative helps rural areas to have everything which people in towns and cities access such as clean water, markets, nice schools, proper and organized tarmac roads.
For example in Nambuma the area has a full stadium.
Rural growth centres will compliment the secondary cities projects which is in 8 districts and towns.
Recently, the immediate past Surveyors Institute of Malawi (SIM) Vice President Precious Chisi who is also Managing Director of Perfect Property Solutions Limited hailed Malawi President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera for spearheading Secondary Cities saying the project has a capacity to enhance social economic and political status of the country.
Speaking in an exclusive interview, Chisi said secondary cities are so important because they serve as a hub for economic development.
Chisi said Secondary cities often serve as regional hubs, offering various services and amenities, they attract businesses and industries, which reduces over reliance of primary city and spreads economic opportunities across the nation.
Secondary cities promote more balanced regional development by providing opportunities and services to people living in surrounding rural areas.
Chisi said this can reduce the rural-urban development gap adding that secondary cities can become hubs for cultural and educational activities, offering museums, universities, and cultural events that contribute to the nation’s cultural and intellectual development.
The land expert who is also property valuer and surveyor said urbanization necessitates the creation of essential infrastructure like roads, transportation systems, utilities, and public services.
He said these investments can benefit the entire nation.
The Secondary Cities will be developed in Karonga, Nkhatabay, Kasungu, Salima/Chipoka, Mangochi/Monkeybay, Liwonde, Lucheza and Bangula. It is expected that these will help divert rural populations from migrating to the four primary cities.
