By Duncan Mlanjira
Limbe Central Ward Councilor, Gerald Lipikwe has hi the ground running in his first days in Blantyre City Council as he is currently facilitating some rehabilitation of social services such as toilets, access bridges around Limbe Market and road markings as safety measures for school kids.
Lipikwe made a tour of Limbe Market on Tuesday in his capacity as a councillor, just to appreciate some works being done.
“Currently at the market, there are 3 projects which are in progress — a foot bridge which connects the lower side of the market to the top one, which was wooden but now made concrete.
Taking a walk along the bridge
“There’s another one but it’s wooden and it’s on its completion into concrete.”
He said this is being funded by the Blantyre City Council.
“The other is a toilet which is under construction in the market and this is being funded by waste advisers.
“The other works in progress is the demolition of the flea market, which is almost finished. This will enable us to move the vendors in the top streets into this market.
“This is another way of cleaning the vendors from Limbe streets so that customers from outside it can have more confidence to patronise this most famous market in this city, known for its fair prices especially on food.
Inspecting the toilet facility
“This is project is also funded by the Council. I have a lot of projects on my mind for Limbe Central, others are being done queitly but the other project which we are doing now is about road safety.
“I noticed that a lot roads in my area are not marked, especially on pedestrian crossings catered mostly for school kids and this is potential for may be causing a lot of accidents.
“So, I decided to write a proposal to Total Malawi to assist with road marking paints so as to paint the roads so that they can be visible to motorists warning them of what’s ahead, especially for new users to such streets.
“I have 52 pedestrian crossings but Total assisted us with paint for 13 of them, worth K1.5 million and we are appreciate of their kind gesture.
He said Kenyatta Drive, from Kanjedza round about to Kwacha is quite different for motorists and pedestrians alike.
“And we have also started working on street lights along the Kenyatta Drive to make Kenyan visitors to the country to feel proud that their former president is well honoured here in Malawi.”
He added that at Kanjedza Primary pedestrian crossing, they have pupils who help others to cross the road in the morning and after they knockoff.
“But at Chichiri Independence Arch, which is complemented with a flyover, Total will fund us next year with reflectors and signage.
“I have 3 primary schools in my ward — Limbe, Kanjedza and Chichiri. Two have libraries except Chichiri.
A walk across a pedestrian crossing
“We are working on that one and next year Mr. Luc Deschamps of Jacaranda Foundation to provide one.”
Lipikwe says currently are also building a borehole at Limbe Health Centre, which faces challenge from Blantyre Water Board and it was difficult for the staff to clean the toilets and offices.
“The water from this borehole is sorely for cleaning and washing, not drinking.”
At Ziyara Parade with Ahmed Sunka of
Rab Processors and MP John Bande
He said he is appreciative of the support he gets from the City Council management and there is always the need to partner with other stakeholders to assist in some projects.
“On Sunday, I joined the Muslim Community on their Ziyara Parade and I met a lot of Asian business community gurus, who promised to partner us in several projects,” Lipikwe said.