By Suleman Chitera, Blantyre
Blantyre District Council on Monday bade farewell to Members of Parliament (MPs) and Ward Councilors, applauding them for their vital role in driving development across the district during their tenure.
Speaking during a full council meeting held in Blantyre, District Commissioner Alex Mdooko reflected on the council’s journey, acknowledging both the triumphs and challenges faced along the way — including missing out on performance-based grants under the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) for two consecutive years and the devastating impact of Tropical Cyclone Freddy.
“Despite these setbacks, we realigned our strategies and achieved significant milestones,” Mdooko said. “We successfully accessed GESD, PBG 3.0 and 3.1, and through other financing channels like the District Development Fund and the Constituency Development Fund, we delivered key projects — Kadidi Health Centre, bridges, classroom blocks, and the rehabilitation of health facilities.”
Mdooko reaffirmed the council’s commitment to sustaining development initiatives, citing programs such as the Malawi Watershed Services Improvement Project and the Climate-Smart Public Works Programme aimed at restoring degraded landscapes. He also highlighted ongoing social protection and economic empowerment programs including the Social Cash Transfer, Transforming Rural Agriculture through Diversification and Entrepreneurship (TRADE), and COMSIP.
Councilor Elson Dumuka commended the council for its efforts to uplift lives in sectors like health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure. He urged MPs and councilors to ensure the sustainability of projects started in their constituencies and wards, stressing the need for continued service to rural communities.
Traditional Authority Lundu echoed these sentiments, praising the outgoing leaders for the political maturity they demonstrated in fulfilling their duties.
As part of the send-off, the council presented certificates of appreciation to both MPs and councilors in recognition of their dedicated service.
According to the Malawi Electoral Commission, the term of office for the current cohort officially ends on July 23, 2025.
