By Chisomo Kambandanga

NKhata Bay, April 10, Mana: District Commissioner (DC) For Nkhata Bay, Rodgers Newa has indicted that the expansion of District’s Council Chamber would promote transparency and accountability as it would allow more people to attend full council meetings.

He said this Wednesday after supervising the K149 million construction project, being implemented with finances from District Development Fund (DDF).

“The Council Chamber is an important infrastructure that is supposed to be a hub for decision making at the council hence it must be befitting for that purpose. The Chamber that was being used was basically in an old state and small in size.

“In the spirit of transparency and accountability, it is a requirement that the Chamber has to accommodate even the interested citizens apart from the councilors, members of parliament and Traditional Authorities," Newa said.

He said he was impressed with the quality of work, adding that with progress taking place and was optimistic that the project would be completed even before the contractual period of 120 days.  

Chairperson for Nkhata Bay District Council, Osman Charge Phiri said all full council members are excited with the upcoming structure because it would give them respect and value during deliberations apart from changing the face of the council.

He urged all stakeholders to work together in intensifying monitoring and supervision up to the time when the project would be handed over.

Chairperson for Civil Society Organizations in Nkhata Bay, Michael Mwenechawa commended the council for the project, saying it would not only benefit full council members but also be used for other activities happening at the council.

According to Acting Director of Public Works, George Gopani, the renovated council Chamber would have a capacity of 60 people as it has been doubled to the previous one.