By Linda Likomwa

Phalombe, May 13, Mana: Phalombe District Council has constructed Migowi Conference Centre to boost local revenue collection using Government to Enable Services Delivery (GESD) funds considering that the council has no such facility to conduct its meetings.

Director of Public Works for Phalombe District Council, Charles Chikhunda said there are a number of construction works that are underway in the district through GESD to make sure that the council is able to generate funds.

“We have done road rehabilitation so that communities are able to transport their farm produce to markets in Blantyre since we are one of the districts that feed Blantyre.

“We have also constructed Mpasa Youth Resource Centre which. Apart from providing services to the youth, it will also be generating funds through hall hiring and be able to support some of the operations at the Centre,” he said. 

Chikhunda said the project cost for Migowi Conference Centre was pegged at K45, 024, 747.81, but due to devaluation and Tropical Cyclone Freddy that hit the district they failed to complete within the specified period of 120 days. Hence requested for additional funds to purchase furniture and installation of air-conditioner for it to be fully functioning.

Finance Committee Chairperson for Phalombe District Council, Bernard Komwa said since councils were required to generate funds for some of its operations there was need to have structures that would help to generate revenue.

Komwa added that the conference Centre would assist to save money for hall hiring during meetings and at the same time generate revenue as it would be hired out to organizations for their meetings.

Phalombe District Council has been one of the outstanding districts in receiving GESD funds because of its stellar performance during Local Authority Performance Appraisal.

Meanwhile, the council has plans to erect street lights at major trading Centre’s, construct market sheds and toilets to create a conducive environment for the business community at the market and also help to boost revenue collection at markets.