Transformation Alliance probes shoddy street lights work in Blantyre
Transformation Alliance (TA), a pressure group that strives to work for the common good of all Malawians, has written the Blantyre City Council (BCC), demanding explanations for below-average work on demolished concrete street lighting poles in the city.
BCC, Nyasa Times understands, earlier in May erected concrete poles for the installation of street lights but days later the poles were demolished right within their designated locations.
TA chairperson, Moses Kunkuyu, told Nyasa Times that it was not on for BCC to carry out the operations in secret without the knowledge of the residents.
“As people who pay rates, the people deserve to know. You don’t just erect things and days later you demolish them,” said Kunkuyu.
According to Kunkuyu, some of the reasons why the poles were demolished was because they were of poor shape, not strong and some were shorter than the recommended height.
And, in a letter signed by administrative secretary, Cosmas Mwambyale, TA wants BCC, among others, to explain if the contractor was identified through a proper procurement process.
“[Also] we would like to know how much money has been lost in the production of these unfit poles and who is responsible for the loss.
“We saw the same contractor who was seen removing the poles was on the site erecting new poles and conducting the electrical installation. We would like to know what action, if any, has been taken considering that it is evident there was a supply of low quality poles and loss of funds,” reads part of the letter addressed to BCC CEO and Mayor Wild Ndipo.
Adds the letter: “We also have information that the same contractor who is currently doing electrical installation, took the steel bars from the demolished poles with intent to re-use them in the manufacturing of new poles which is again an engineering risk.”
TA has since given BCC seven days to respond to their petition.
