Zomba Council warns NGO’s over poor services

Zomba District Council has accused some Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) operating in the district for providing people with poor services.

The accusations came after (CADECOM) provided poor materials for the construction of houses to flood victims under disaster recovery program.

This has come a few days after the council embarked on supervision of NGOs in areas where they are implementing different programs.

Speaking at a council meeting Member of Parliament for Zomba Thondwe Charles Thikiwa expressed his disappointment with the organisations for supplying building materials which are not worthy for a project.

“I was informed that materials which are being provided to people affected by floods are of poor quality,” said Thikiwa.

Thikiwa said he found out that materials such as poles, window and door frames were made from poor timber and were not polished, but were being supplied from Mzuzu and Lilongwe.

The Parliamentarian further urged fellow council members not to allow such projects to continue in the district but rather take such NGOs to task.

“Let me warn all NGOs who come in the district to implement projects to be serious when assisting Malawians not to make their names by cheating poor people,” warned Thikiwa.

However, he said the council appreciates efforts of NGOs in supporting government in implementing various programs.

In his reaction, CADECOM Director, George Phiri totally agreed with the legislature saying his observation was correct.

Phiri added that even the supplier is aware that CADECOM in Zomba has rejected materials due to their poor quality.

“CADECOM presented its project to the council in July this year to build 450 houses to flood victims in the area of Traditional Authority Mwambo in the district” said Phiri.

Councilor Wilson Likhusa for Ntungulutsi ward in Zomba Lisanjala Constituency who is also Chairperson for Health Service Committee at the council said his committee in collaboration with Zomba District Health Office is expecting to meet representatives of all NGOs that provide health services in the district in order to know what they are doing on the ground.

Councilor Likhusa told the house that the decision to meet them has come after realizing that some of these NGOs cheat DHO.

The District Commissioner, Bennet Nkasala also said the council is interested to follow the issue and will meet them soon.