MP Bisnowaty donates K1.5 million to Area 18 market traders

Member of Parliament for Lilongwe City centre David Bisnowaty on Thursday donated K1.5 million to Area 18 vendors who were affected by gutting of their  market.

Fire razed down Area 18 market where various food and non-food items were destroyed a fortnight ago following a suspected electrical fault.

Speaking when he presented the cash to the victims, Bisnowaty said :”I came here not only to see the burnt market and to sympathise with the vendors but to take action because I believe action speaks louder than words.”

The market, which is run by Lilongwe City Council (LCC), is surrounded by hairdressing salons, bars, liquor stores, boutiques and a Puma service station just 200 metres away, but the fire only affected the market.

Bisnowaty added: “I brought with me the city council workers and we started together with the community to clear the debris so that we can start rebuilding the market as soon as possible.”

He said the victims don’t need promises or PR stunt but action.

Receiving the cash Area 18 chairman, Bernard Gama commended the parliamentarian for the giving hand.

Gama said he is hopeful that other people and companies will follow what Bisnowaty has done.

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Kondwani Nankhumwa also visited the market promised that Government would do something over the same in order to assist the victims.

A preliminary investigation by LCC fire department found that the fire was caused by an electrical faults but inquiries are ongoing, according to LCC public relations manager Tamara Chafunya.

In the past four months, fire has gutted Tsoka Flea Market, Mzimba and Mzuzu Matabwa markets in Lilongwe, and Kamuzu Road Market in Salima.