MCP querries DPP govt for skipping ‘capital city ‘of North Malawi in internet connectivity project

Opposition Malawi Congress Party (MCP) querried the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) for sidiling  northern city of Mzuzu in the intended implementation of the National Fibre Backbone Project.

Commenting on the motion under Bill Number 31 of 2016 seeking Parliament approval and authorisation to lend K16.5 billion from Export and Import Bank of China moved by  Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe on Tuesday,  MCP spokesperson on finance Alexander KusambaDzonzi wondered why Mzuzu has not been considered.

Kusamba-Dzonzi said  accused  government of being unfair for borrowing money to be repaid by tax payer throughout the country and yet the project segregates a certain section of the country – in the north.

“But of importance to MCP is to know why Mzuzu has been left out. You cannot just pick other places (Blantyre, Zomba and Lilongwe) and forget Mzuzu, which is a capital city for the Northern Region,” Kusamba-Dzonzi said.

Kusamba-Dzonzi said it is disheartening that Mzuzu is not included in the project.

He said MCP by not including Mzuzu, people in the Northern Region will be denied the enjoyment of accessible and fast internet services if government goes ahead to implement the project.

Finance Minister Gondwe told the  House that government will see how best it can address the abnormality as observed by MCP.

Gondwe said the loan will enable government enhance and improve internet connectivity by connecting the services to the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom).

The minister emphasised that enhancement and improvement of internet connectivity will translate into improved service delivery in public offices.