Govt releases KR 1 million to Chipata Municipal Council

—-Government, through Ministry of Local Government and Housing, has released KR 1,000,000 to Chipata Municipal Council in Eastern Province for the extension of the civic centre.

Chipata Municipal Council Mayor, Goodson Thole, disclosed the development during the second ordinary council meeting held at the council chamber in Chipata district yesterday.

Mr Thole said the extension of the civic centre would move the town towards the attainment of the city status and add beauty to the district.

“So far works have been advertised for bidders to complete in order to design the structure component of the council,” he said.

He revealed that the council had also received a sum of KR 230,580.00 from National Road Fund Agency (NRFA) for the improvement of traffic lights as it had challenges in maintaining traffic lights which were non-functional due to lack of funds.

Mr Thole stated that plans were under way to put paving bricks on a 70 kilometre stretch of streets to reduce accidents in the town as pedestrians and motorist would have their own ways.

He said the process would be done in liaison with the Road Development Agent (RDA), adding that it would have many youths employed as it was labour-based.

The mayor, however, called on civic leaders in the district to be holding developmental meetings in their respective wards as it was the only way that wards would develop.

“Constant meetings should be an important item on the councillor’s civic year calendar if we are to continue to bring about the developmental activities that are most needed in our country,” Mr Thole said.

He further stated that KR 500,000 has been allocated under the Ministry of Local Government and Housing for street lighting to improve security of the town to reduce cases of theft and beating of innocent people at night which were rampant in the recent past.