Vendors petition Council on Road Funds Mismanagement

Karonga District Council has moved to address concerns over the mishandling of project funds and the town’s stagnant development projects.

A group called Karonga Vendors last week wrote a letter to the office of the President expressing worry over funds for road rehabilitation projects.

The letter, signed by 27 business persons from around Karonga Town, alleges that K450 million meant for road rehabilitation projects has been diverted to politicians for the campaign trail.

The letter asked Karonga District Council to rehabilatate the depot, main market and rebuild council offices which were burnt by demonstrators in 2019.

On Monday, the Council organised a meeting with business persons and political leaders where Acting District Commissioner, Frank Mkandawire, said the Council is implementing City Roads Fund project to the tune of over K418 million but so far only K50 million has been spent

According to Mkandawire, surfacing of the roads with asphalt has stopped due to rains as advised by a consultant assure you that funds for this project are intact; they have not been accessed by any politician,” he said.

Chairperson for Karonga Main Market, Godwin Ghambi, admitted that misinformation led them to write the letter to the President and the District Commissioner admitted that the Council did not inform them properly on the progress leading to speculation

Ghambi urged the Council to be open about every project they are implementing to avoid such incidents