Lilongwe Council's Bus Terminal Plan Sparks Confusion, Public Concern
The council's stance appears to shift between presenting the move as a permanent solution and a stopgap measure.
LILONGWE, Malawi— The Lilongwe City Council's recent announcements regarding a new bus terminal have left residents and bus operators puzzled, with conflicting messages and unclear plans coming to light Monday, write Martin Kamlaike and Winston Mwale.
Initially, the council ordered all bus owners to relocate to Grand Business Park by June 24, citing a need to improve city operations.
However, following public backlash over the alleged poor conditions of the new site, LCC Chief Executive Dr. Macloud Kadam'manja held a press conference to clarify the situation.
Kadam'manja refuted claims that the council had constructed an international bus terminal, stating, "We have not yet constructed our International Bus Terminal, but it is in our strategic plan."
He revealed that Grand Business Park owners had voluntarily offered their site for temporary use.
To accommodate operators without existing ticketing offices, the council will offer space within the premises for a monthly rental of K250,000.
This move is designed to ensure all operators have a presence at the new location.
The council's stance appears to shift between presenting the move as a permanent solution and a stopgap measure.
Kadam'manja noted that the LCC is still searching for funds to build a proposed K17 billion terminal.
Adding to the confusion, Kadam'manja stated that the council has met "90% of the requirements" demanded by bus operators, including improved security and facilities.
However, social media was flooded with images of the new site, which critics dubbed substandard.
The LCC maintains that the relocation aims to decongest the city and improve security.
"Our main aim is to make sure that there is sanity and order in terms of how the buses are operating within the City," Kadam'manja said.
As the June 24 deadline approached, it remains unclear how many operators will comply with the relocation order.
The council's mixed messages and the public's concerns about the new site's conditions have created an atmosphere of uncertainty in Lilongwe's transportation sector.