Plea Goes Out for Safe Water and Road Development in Dedza North Constituency

Malawi- Residents of Mayani village in Dedza North Constituency are facing a serious water shortage and dangerous road conditions, prompting a plea for assistance from well-wishers, writes Judgment Katika.

Saide Sale, one of the village's residents, explained the dire situation: "Women and girls are stranded, as fetching water is the biggest challenge that we are facing every day. We have one borehole and it is in Mayani market. They are long queues, and sometimes women fight each other. We are failing to balance household chores, farming, and fetching water. Most of the time we spend hours at the borehole, and we are now forced to use water from a well which is not treated."

Nefrani Liwera, a motorcycle kabaza operator, added that the poor state of the roads is causing significant problems for local businesses.

"We are forced to increase prices due to the bad state of the road, and mostly we are breaking road traffic regulations that need to be followed on the road, overloading and overspeeding," he said.

The parliamentarian for the area, Savel Kafwafwa, acknowledged the issues and is appealing for assistance from well-wishers as the Local Development Funds are insufficient.

"My constituency is among the five biggest constituencies, unfortunately, the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has increased the boundaries of my constituency. It is too mountainous and stony. My plea is to well-wishers and donors to help me, especially with tap water, as boreholes' spare parts are expensive whenever there is a breakdown, and Tar-Mac roads because during the rainy season, roads become impassable."

The plea is particularly urgent given that in rural Dedza, the Mayani road is one of the busiest routes as it poses as a shortcut to Salima District.

Residents are hopeful that the plea will be heard, and that safe water and road development will be forthcoming.