APM revives ‘red star’ campaign in Malawi: Poor buildings to be demolished

Malawi President Arthur Peter Mutharika on Monday announced the revival of the red star campaign when he toured dilapidated buildings in Blantyre City.

Mutharika told the gathering at Old Town Hall that it was sad that 50 years after independence, some buildings in the city leave a lot to be desired.

Said Mutharika: “Some of these building were even there before the colonialist left and we are still using them today. I find this to be unacceptable.”

“I joined the City Council this morning to inspect some buildings in this city which have been dilapidated as one way of reviving the re-development of the two towns Blantyre and Limbe, through the Red Star Campaign,” he said.

The President said there was need to put in place policies and use of zoning laws to direct people on how and where city buildings are to be built.

“As government, we are also making sure that we put all policies and guidelines in place as far as construction of buildings in towns in concerned and I would like enforcement agents to make sure that these are followed by all of us,” said Mutharika.

He added; “It is my hope that all concerned parties will cooperate with the City Council so that we have a new face for our towns. Let us make our towns beautiful.”

Mutharika asked owners of dilapidated buildings to either rehabilitate or demolish them as they pose danger to the people working in such environments and making the city look unattractive.

“As investors, let us play our part in making sure that we are operating in acceptable environments as per the city requirements. Let us take this development positively so we can attract more investors to our cities.” he said.

He said with the project to extend the Masauko Chipembere Highway, there was need for buildings that are modern and secure to be alongside the road and has asked the public to change their mindset when it comes to making the cities clean.

Mutharika said he hopes for unity between Blantyre City Council and stakeholders on the implementation of the Keep Blantyre Clean and Green campaign and that the red star campaign should be viewed as part of the initiative.