By Margret Praise Kalua

NKhata Bay, February 18, Mana: Nkhata Bay District Council has handed over five market kiosks worth K23 million to business people at Chintheche Trading Centre in the district.

Acting Director of Trade and Commerce for the council, Thanila Gondwe disclosed during the handover ceremony on Friday that the market kiosks were constructed using Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) funds.

Gondwe said the kiosks will not only ease business and access to basic needs for the people of Chintheche, but will also help raise the council's low revenue base.

"The council is trying to create a good business environment for vendors who are currently doing their businesses along the road which is not safe and conducive. As a council we understand that the five Kiosks are not enough but will at least make a difference," he said.

Gondwe also revealed plans to expand the market further by constructing more shops through Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

He however asked Chintheche vending community to not only rely on the council in expanding the market avenue, urging those with capacity to construct shops in line with set standards to come forward and sign a deal with the council.

Senior Group Village Head Msundu commended the council for considering building the market kiosks, saying they will create a good and safe environment for vendors and requested for more infrastructure.

"Chintheche has more vendors who can not be accommodated by the current market structures. It is my plea that additional shops and market sheds be constructed so that all the vendors along the road can move inside the market premises," he said.

Commenting on the development, Chintheche ward councilor, Spencer Khuni asked the council to consider renovating the already existing market shades.

Government to Enable Service Delivery Projects are implemented by councils through National Local Government Finance Committee with funding from World Bank.