By George Bulombola

Mzuzu, October 29, Mana: Mzuzu City Council (MCC), in its efforts to enhance law and order within its jurisdiction, over the weekend disseminated community bylaws to its residents through various stakeholders who among others included ward development committees and block leaders.

In an interview Tuesday, Vice Mayor for the MCC, Monica Simwaka said that the development and dissemination of community-centered by-laws complement the city’s mission of taking back the city to its residents.

She said the laws are localized as their formulation was championed by the people themselves, hence she was optimistic that the initiative will contribute to community empowerment towards well-corroborated efforts in making the city a desired habitable place for all.

“This marks a great milestone for Mzuzu City and its residents as far as the promotion of a participatory approach in making the city a desirable place for improved livelihoods, education and business investment among others,” said Simwaka.

She then commended Habitat for Humanity Malawi, SOS Children’s Village, Hlang’anisa Institute for Development for supporting consultation sessions during the formulation of the bylaws.

Chairperson for Mzilawayingwe Ward Development Committee, Enoch Chirwa urged his colleagues in the council’s 15 wards to be in the forefront in ensuring that people own the laws for easy enforcement.

“The bylaws were developed by the people themselves, therefore they should be adhered to consistently across all the wards, as such, I call every one of us to take these laws back to the formulators for implementation,” said Chirwa.

He then commended Habitat for Humanity Malawi for playing a leading role in all stages of the development of the bylaws through its ‘Strengthening an all-inclusive disaster preparedness for early warning and action in Mzuzu City’ with support from UNDP.

Project Coordinator for strengthening an all-inclusive disaster preparedness for early warning and action in Mzuzu City, Esther Moyo applauded all structures at council and ward level for their commitment to facilitating the formulation of the bylaws.