By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, December 20, Mana: The Director General of the National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST), Gift Kadzamira, emphasized that the collaboration between NCST and the Lilongwe City Council (LCC) is vital, as both organizations play significant roles in promoting innovation.
Speaking during the launch at sunbird hotel in Lilongwe, Kadzamira said that they would like to have a link that will provide a connection between the innovators and the industry, so that the industry is also able to give out grants to the innovators.
"As you are aware, one of the key pillars of the Malawi 2063 agenda is industrialization, and another is urbanization. Establishing a call center for the Lilongwe City Council will play a crucial role in supporting the urbanization of our communities," she said.
Her worship the Mayor, Councillor Esther Sagawa said through the initiative, citizens will now have a direct and reliable channel to report issues, request services, and offer feedback from waste management to infrastructure inquiries, from emergencies to general queries, and that their team will be just a phone call or a click away.
"I encourage you to make full use of these platforms. Your active participation is critical to the success of this initiative. To our staff, I urge you to serve with dedication, empathy, and professionalism. Together, let us create a culture of excellence in service delivery," she stated.
The Deputy Resident Representative in the Malawi Country Office of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Challa Getachew, stated that the platform will provide a space for innovators and investors to connect, enabling those with resources to discover and invest in promising ideas.
"The Malawi 2063 agenda is focused on transforming the nation and improving the quality of life. We achieve this through innovation by enhancing service delivery, facilitating transformation, and creating opportunities for innovators and young people to bring their ideas forward and contribute to Malawi's development," he said.
Meanwhile, Secretary for Education, Dr. Mangani Chilala Katundu commented that the new call centre and innovation portal would serve as vital tools in enhancing communication and promoting scientific research and supporting technological advancements.
"This entire process of developing the system is not limited to Lilongwe. We know that the town of Mwanza has also benefited from innovative software designed to enhance service delivery," he said.
