By Burnett Munthali
Residents of the northeastern part of Blantyre have demanded that their Member of Parliament, Susan Ndalama, appear before the District Commissioner’s office to explain how she has been utilizing development funds allocated to the constituency.
The residents claim that in the ten years Ndalama has been in office, she has failed to bring tangible development to their area.
Reports indicate that in August 2020, Ndalama initiated the construction of the Chambwinja-Chipande bridge with a budget of no less than K20 million.
However, instead of completing the project, the construction workers only placed wooden planks at the site, and the work was abandoned.
Some residents have also raised concerns over the failed electrification project at Chaweta Primary School.
According to them, K16 million was allocated to connect the school to electricity, but to date, there is no sign of power installation at the institution.
Robert Matias, one of the residents, expressed his frustration over the matter, questioning where the development funds have been going.
“We are wondering where our MP has been taking all the development funds meant for our constituency,” Matias lamented.
In response to these allegations, Ndalama simply stated that she has undertaken numerous development projects in the area.
Despite her claims, the frustration among residents was evident when they booed her during the inauguration ceremony of Chipande Health Centre.
The public display of dissatisfaction highlights the growing frustration among the people over unfulfilled promises and lack of transparency in the use of public funds.
As calls for accountability intensify, all eyes are on whether Ndalama will provide a detailed explanation regarding the alleged mismanagement of development funds.
Political analysts believe that this controversy could have significant implications for her political future, especially with the next elections approaching.
The situation in Blantyre East reflects a broader challenge in Malawi, where many constituencies struggle with transparency and accountability in development projects.
If no action is taken to address the residents’ concerns, the trust between the electorate and their representative could continue to erode.
With pressure mounting, Ndalama will have to decide whether to engage with her constituents and clarify the situation or risk further damaging her reputation.
