Malawi govt blames market fires on negligence, weak punishment
Ministerial Committee on market fires has attributed the increase in fire incidents that continue to torch down marketplaces across the country to weak punishment and negligence by the city and district councils.
The Committee’s chairperson and Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Tarsizio Gowero however said they were still working on establishing what really caused recent market fires in Lilongwe and Mzuzu.
The committee has missed its deadline to submit its findings to President Peter Mutharika on the main causes of the fire and recommendations on what measures to be taken to prevent future incidents.
“We have not yet come to conclusion of our investigations and this is why our friends from Malawi police are helping us to establish the truth,” said Gowero.
Gowero said councils should bear a blame for failing to institute right and preventative measures in marketplaces that could help to address fire incidences, and that those found guilty were not being
heavily punished by the law.
“Such incidents have affected us. We have plans to construct new markets across the country, but it’s like when we take a step forward, we are pushed another step backwards. We need to collectively address this problem,” he added.
About nine markets have been hit by fire since 2004. A recent fire at Tsoka market in Lilongwe affected over 1,000 vendors who lost K961million worth of merchandise in the process.
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Why do such fires take place on at night?
Why does a report have to be submitted to the President? Surely such matters should be solely in the hands of the local and district authorities, otherwise what are they for?
During Bingu’s reign, fires were rampant. Come Joyce we had a break in fires..Come Peteli more FIRES.What does that tell you about DPP? ali ndi makutu amve.
mzeru zanu ndi zootcha misika ife ndiye tiziti ngozi God will punish u guys mukuyesa ambuye sakukuonani shame andale!
are cities,towns, districts prepared and equipped to respond effectively? Do councils all over conduct awareness of emergency management and evacuation plans. Do councils do risk assessment to determine and classify it’s top 10 risks?. Do they have new early warning methodology systems that could be used for future disasters? Zakutu basi. How you contributed kuti zizichitikachitika? Chibwana eti? Don’t do mind games here. Uzani mtundu wa a Malawi zomwe muchite practically.
zitsiru bola ukanati dzatomboolombo
How much money has been spent to come out with such an empty and useless report?
you and your plans… come to action!
Do have some hydrants on the market and staff to fight fire not only collection of market fees would help a lot! This discussion about the reason of fire leads to nothing!-
If the government paid all its water bills fully and on time, the water boards might have the money to install hydrants at all large market places. Lack of fire-fighting equipment is yet another indication of underdevelopment. The government should be employing every means at its disposal to further development of the country. It does not do so by the delayed payment of its bills to essential utilities like water.
Zitsilu mufunamupusitse ndani muli inu nomwe aDPP