Parliament Demands Action on Lilongwe Market's Two-Toilet Crisis for 10,000
LILONGWE, Malawi — Parliamentary leaders Wednesday gave city officials an April deadline to address severe sanitation shortages at Lilongwe Flea Market, where 10,000 vendors share just two toilets, writes Meclina Chirwa.
The Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources criticised Lilongwe City Council's inaction during an oversight meeting, noting officials failed to develop budgets for 20 additional toilets previously mandated.
"We have given them up to April to fix everything in the market," said committee chairman Werani Chilenga.
"This time around, we have given them a timeframe - temporarily, we are giving them two weeks, and then April."
Lilongwe City Council CEO Dr. Macloud Kadam'manja cited funding constraints but acknowledged the council's shortcomings.
"Indeed, we are not doing a good job, but we don't have adequate resources," he said.
Market vendors accused the council of neglecting basic services despite collecting over K18 million monthly in fees.
"We are tired of the fake promises; that's why we complained to the committee for their intervention," said Steve Magombo, chairman of the Lilongwe Flea Market.
The committee demanded immediate action plans for improving water and sanitation facilities to meet basic public health standards.
Parliamentarians have to live to their words not just threats. You find that at the end of the day the targets are not achieved. This is not on, 10,000 vendors using two toilets!