Goodall says DPP cares for north Malawi: Parliament approves K22bn loan for Mzimba water project

People of Mzimba will soon have potable water after parliament unanimously approved a K22 billion loan for a comprehensive water and sanitation project.

This means the government will now borrow K11 billion from OPEC European Bank repayable in 20 years and another K11 billion from the African Development Fund repayable in 40 years with a 10 years grace period.

Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe said the water project will benefit 48000 people while the sanitation project will benefit 31000 people in the largest district in Malawi.

Gondwe said Mzimba has one water tank with a 250 cubic metre water capacity saying the new project will see new pipes laid down with several tanks with a capacity of over 6000 cubic metre water capacity.

The Finance Minister described as childish suggestions by some members of parliament who said the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government was marginalising the northern region in development programmes.

“We are constructing the Njakwa road. There was nothing that was done during the two years we were out of government,” said Gondwe indirectly hitting at People’s Party members of parliament who mostly lead the assault on DPP for allegedly marginalising the northern region.

Gondwe said as a cabinet minister from Mzimba, he always champions for development activities in the north.

“This government cares for the north more than the government that was here two years ago, I am concerned about developments in the north than anyone else,” he said.

When told he was out of order for being too political, Gondwe said in Tumbuka, “waniyambira ntcheni.”