Malawi Councillor Seeks Toilets for Nsanje Market
Ruo Ward Councillor Marko Molotali said Tuesday the lack of facilities is a health hazard as vendors resort to the open.
NSANJE, Malawi — A local councillor has urged Malawi's Nsanje District Council to build toilets at Chambuluka market over disease fears from open defecation, writes Cornelius Lupenga.
Ruo Ward Councillor Marko Molotali said Tuesday the lack of facilities is a health hazard as vendors resort to the open.
“There are fears of an outbreak of waterborne diseases such as cholera,” he said.
Molotali said toilets are needed especially since new vendors relocated from flooded Makhanga Island.
Vendors have stopped paying market fees in protest.
“The council is losing a huge sum of money due to the deliberate nonpayment of fees,” he said.
Council finance chair Hackeem Hassan acknowledged the market lacks toilets currently.
“The council is losing revenues which could have been collected from Chambuluka market,” he said.
Hassan said money for toilets will likely come from the 2024-2025 budget passed by the council.
Unsanitary conditions raise the risk of disease spreading at crowded markets.
Cholera outbreaks occur during Malawi’s rainy season from November to March when water sources are compromised.