Lilongwe new Mayor Bikiko vows to boost revenue collection to transform  Malawi capital city

Newly eleted mayor for Lilongwe, Dr Desmond Bikoko has vowed to boost revenue collection for the city in a bid to improve dwinding services and transform the capital city.

In an interview soon after his election, Bikoko set the boosting of revenue collection as his priority, saying the city has capacity to collect K60 million a month.

“We will empower the Finance Committee, we will give it all the resources and work plans and deadlines,” he said.

Bikoko acknowledged some money is abused by members of staff and said the council would now engage independent and private auditors.

He said the council has not been audited for the past three years.

“We will ensure that we have all the money that belongs to the council,” he said.

His election was received with jubilation as residents hoped for a better Lilongwe.

Bikoko (MCP) emerged victorious after beating Kwame Bandawe (DPP).

DPP acting party secretary general Francis Mphepo did not take the loss of the mayoral elections lightly. He accused Chilinde councillor Kantondoli Nyirenda soon after Lilongwe City Council chief executive officer Moza Zeleza announced Bikoko as winner.

“You have betrayed us, we will deal with you,” Mphepo told the councillor

But the councillor laughed off, saying “Muli n’chinthu odala (you have issues).”

Apparently, Mphepo was frustrated because of two null and void votes that may have cost his party the mayor’s parlour.

DPP splashed cash in vote buying and Mphepo had to monitor who delivered the votes after “eating”.

But the councillor  teased Mphepo : “Tayiphula oDala (we have won fair and square).”