Some members of Parliament (MPs) in Mangochi have questioned the rationale behind declaring Kasungu and Luchenza municipalities and not other equally deserving townships such as Mangochi.
The MPs have since expressed interest to engage legal and development experts to see if the Presidency can be stripped of powers to elevate a township to a municipality or a city to avoid political interference.
Speaking on Monday during a training workshop and handover ceremony for Guide Books and Development Manuals for Local Councils, MP for Mangochi South East, Lilian Patel, wondered why Mangochi is not being elevated to a municipality at a time small towns such as Kasungu and Luchenza were elevated.
“I feel the presidential powers to elevate a town to municipality or beyond is being abused. I don’t want to be involved in wrangles with the Presidency but I still don’t understand why Luchenza, with only two councillors, is a municipal council while Mangochi, which is more advanced is still a township,” said Patel.
But Assistant Director for Decentralisation in the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Darwin Pangani, said decisions to elevate a township are made following advice from different sectors.
“The decision to upgrade a township into a municipality is motivated by politics rather than technical things, and with political decisions, the best thing to do is to remain quiet unlike asking a lot of questions,” he said.
Pangani later advised Mangochi Town Council to work hard in developing the township as well as increasing its revenue base before pushing for a municipal status, arguing that Kasungu and Luchenza have better infrastructure network than Mangochi.
But these sentiments were quickly shot down by MP for Mangochi North, Benedicto Chambo, who urged authorities to first look into other criteria before declaring a township a city.
“We have vis i ted Kasungu and Luchenza and to say these two are better than Mangochi is a lie and an insult to people of Malawi,” said Chambo.
According Pangani, for a town to be named as a municipality, they consider its population, revenues and infrastructure.
Ironically, despite being a township, Mangochi Town Council Chairperson enjoys the same benefits as mayors for Luchenza and Kasungu municipalities.
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