BY FAITH KAMTAMBE:
Lilongwe City Council (LCC) has said the organising committee of this year’s Independence Day celebrations is working hand in hand with various stakeholders in ensuring a safe event.
Last year’s commemoration of the day ended in disaster as several people died during a stampede that resulted from the late opening of Bingu National Stadium.
The government has arranged for all of the country’s cities to conduct their activities to mark the day.
LCC has organised different activities including a military parade in the city on Thursday.
Chairperson of the capital city’s organising committee, Stallichi Mwambiwa, has said Malawians should be assured that the celebration will pass off without any incident.
“We are working closely with various stakeholders such as Malawi Police Service, stadium management and Red Cross, among others, to ensure a safe event. What happened last year is a learning point and whatever we are doing now, consideration is being made to what caused last year’s stampede,” Mwambiwa said.
Mwambiwa further said people from Lilongwe should patronise the activities, arguing that it would be a rare opportunity for city residents to enjoy themselves on the historical day.
“The first activity will be in the morning. We are going to have a march by Malawi Defence Force soldiers. They will start from Lilongwe Community Centre Ground all the way to Bingu National Stadium through Kamuzu Procession Road,” he said.
LCC Public Relations Officer, Tamara Chafunya, said there will also be a street party spiced up with musical performances.
“We will therefore close Mzimba Street from Amina Roundabout to Crossroads from sometime in the morning. We will have two sections of the road for the performances. Phyzix and Skeffa Chimoto will perform among others,’’ Chafunya said.
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