Constituents in Mzimba accuse their councilor of abandoning them

Constituents of Kasitu West Ward in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Jalavikuwa in Mzimba District have accused their councilor Suzgo Msowoya of Peoples Party (PP) of not conducting development meetings since 2014 elections.

The people in the area bemoan that Councilor Msowoya has not paid them a visit since he was elected in the tripartite elections to appreciate the socio-economic problems in the area.

Speaking during an interface meeting organized by National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust at Kacheche Primary School, Senior Group Village Headman Pwele Singini said the area lags behind in development activities because of the absence of the councilor.

He said the area which serves a population of about 6,000 has no health centre in that people travel a distance of about 12 km to Bwengu Health Centre to access medical services.

Singini described the situation as bad especially to pregnant women who sometimes deliver on their way to the hospital.

“On several occasions, we have called for our councilor to visit us but he has never showed up despite promising to pay us a visit,” Singini said.

Senior GVH Singini further said Councilor Msowoya is based at his farm in Engucwin, about 10 km from Kacheche Primary School but never conducts or attends any development meetings in the area.

Concurring with Singini, GVH Watson Munthali said people in the area are ready for development projects as they have already molded over 90,000 bricks.

“We want our councilor to be presenting our needs and concerns to the District Council but he has never held meetings with us to hear our concerns,” GVH Munthali said.

Member of Kachere Listening Club Chimwemwe Mkandawire said Councilor Msowoya promised during campaign period to construct a school block and an office at Kacheche Primary School and install solar energy at Kacheche Community Day Secondary School.

“Tell him that we are waiting for the fulfillment of his campaign promises,” Mkandawire told NICE officials.

Efforts to talk to Councilor Msowoya proved futile as both his Airtel and TNM mobile phone lines could not be reached on several attempts on Wednesday and Thursday.

NICE Trust Assistant District Civic Education Officer for Mzuzu and Mzimba North, Idah Biyazawo said the interface meeting was organized to give a platform to the communities to voice out their concerns on issues affecting them.

She said this is under the thematic area of voice of accountability whereby the electorates are given a chance to hold their leaders accountable and to demand services from duty bearers.

NICE also donated two bicycles and Radio cassettes to Kacheche and Chisyombe Radio listening Clubs to ease mobility challenges and for them to be listening to development activities that are taking place in other communities.

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