By Memory Kutengule Chatonda

Blantyre, February 9, Mana: Blantyre District Council has approved a K44.7 billion budget for the 2024/2025 financial year, an increase of 55 percent from the previous budget that was pegged at K28.7 billion.

Speaking after the approval of the budget in Blantyre on Thursday during an extraordinary full council meeting, Chairperson for the Finance and Audit committee, Councilor Jeremia Jumbe, said the budget has gone up due to the inclusion and increase in various items such as salaries, leave grants, special allowances, transport allowance, chiefs' and councilors' honoraria, among others.

District Commissioner for Blantyre, Alex Mdooko, expressed optimism that the budget will help the council implement various developmental projects and social protection programmes that can benefit the rural citizenry.

“In this budget, we have projects including the construction of school blocks, staff houses and completion of Mpemba Market, in addition to rehabilitating all health facilities in Blantyre.

“Apart from this, we also have social support interventions like Social Cash Transfer, Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works,” he said.

Councilor for Chilaweni Ward, Carol Mdala, welcomed the budget saying it speaks to the needs of local people.

“My appeal to government is that it should provide the required funding on time so that the council expedites implementation of various developmental projects such as construction of school blocks, staff houses and rehabilitation of health facilities, among others, to fulfill its mandate," she said