LL city council demolishes Area 22B market
Lilongwe City Council on Friday demolished shops of vendors at Area 22B market in the city of Lilongwe as the city continues with its campaign of removing unplanned structures in the city but market chairman for the vendors Sanudi Wasili complained that they were not given any prior warning.
Councilor for Lilongwe South East, Elija Betha said the shops were not built according to city planning such that one individual had a huge plot while others do not have even a small space to sell their merchandise.
“A few people occupied large spaces for themselves while others had completely nothing. There is need to re-allocate the place properly by the City Assembly for equal distribution,” explained Betha.
Betha said Government want to properly design the market and equally share the spaces to many vendors including those who have been conducting their trade in Area 36 along the M1 road.
Responding to a question as to whether this was the right way of correcting the unplanned structures, the councilor said: “That is why I came quickly when I was informed that shops were being demolished and I took some representatives to meet city officials for discussions and that is why they did not continue demolishing. We will continue discussing till we reach a better conclusion.”
In his reaction to the city’s move, Area 22B market chair, Sanudi Wasili expressed shock at the city’s actions describing it as a very bad move.
“This is a very bad move considering that we were not served any notice, we just saw police vehicles and a caterpillar arriving here and started demolishing our shops, over 20 shops have been demolished,” complained Sanudi.
Speaking to LINA, many shop owners complained bitterly and advised Government that since they invested a lot of money in building the shops, it would have been wise for the city to compensate them.
The city was also conspicuously seen patrolling the heart of the city in Old Town with a heavy presence of police chasing vendors who had returned to undesignated places selling their goods after they were removed a few months ago. – LINA
Dats gud! Dis country need 2b smat country & 9yc town
Mukulimbana ndi anthu osauka Mmalo mokonza economy yakukanikaniyi.Sopano amenewo azitani Poti mwawabera
Good move, extend the demolition to old town
Apa zawoneka kuti chitetezo mulibe m’boma la DPP tinaiwala ife kumamva za athu ophedwa lero ndizimenezi
So sad RIP
Good move zinthu zitsikhala zadongosolo,osati aliyense kupanga zake
Anarchy cannot be tolerated
An orderly government is what we want. This is the way to go but should go beyond demolishing markets. The president should demolish laziness, indecisiveness and procrastination in his decision making. Akuoneka sakudziwa chomwe achita. This guy is sleeping too much
plot ndinagula. I spent money to build my shubby structure, am earning a living on it. the one day I wake up and just see someone demolishing my things without notice. Fellow Malawians, kumaganizilana. Imagine mutakhala inu. Apa chipepeso chiperekedwa basi.
Planning and following the right and approved structures is the right way to go. I support the council in clearing up such mess.
In fact with our stupid democracy we can not make any progress. Imagine what is Coming out around Kameza in Bt and eventually this will turn into a full blown problem under the watch of city authorities and all parking space in Bt have been taken over by car dealers. cannt Bt city stop this now before it becomes a big problem