The Malawi Congress Party (MCP) aspiring member of Parliament for the newly demarcated Mtandire-Mtsiriza Constituency, George Zulu, has promised that he would construct a tarmac road, schools and a police unit if the electorate could give him the vote in the September 16 General Elections.
Formerly representing Lilongwe City West Constituency, Zulu boasted that he has a track record of delivering his promises; hence, the communities in Mtandire and Mtsiriza should be assured of his sincerity and commitment to fulfill what he is pronouncing during his campaign rallies.
He made the sentiments at Mwenera Ground on Tuesday during a political debate, which the National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) organized with financial support from the European Union (EU).
“During the five years I was MP for Lilongwe City West, communities have seen the construction of tarmac roads from Spearhead to Airwing, school infrastructure upgrades, payment of school fees for underprivileged students, and the development of bridges and drainage systems to combat road washouts. This should give the voters in the newly created constituency an assurance that I will do it for them if they entrust me with the responsibility to represent them at parliament,” he said.
In her submission, an independent candidate Ruth Chingwalu, a former Councillor for Mtandire and a self-described “daughter of the soil,” promised that she would dedicate her efforts towards improving healthcare and education, including construction of a new hospital and a secondary school in the area.
Chingwalu also promised economic empowerment for women and youth through access to loans under the Community Development Fund (CDF).
On her part, Alliance for Democracy (AFORD) aspirant Linda Phiri pledged to engage local leaders in identifying community-driven priorities, with a focus on youth empowerment, inclusive loan schemes, and healthcare access.
NICE District Programme Officer for Lilongwe Urban, Hajira Ali, expressed satisfaction with the issues highlighted during the debate, citing diversity of plans and personalities.
Ali said her organization conducts the debates to give voters an opportunity to interface with their contestants as well as ask ‘difficult questions’ that would inform their choice of the candidate.