Chiefs summon Karonga grouping

Chiefs in Karonga District have summoned the leadership of Karonga Concerned Citizens to a round table discussion over issues regarding the reinstatement of parts alleged to have been removed at Garnet Halliday water treatment plant.

The summon which has been scheduled for this Wednesday, follows a letter that the grouping wrote to Northern Region Waterboard last week ordering them to reinstate the removed parts of the plant within seven days or face unspecified action.

Speaking in an interview after a meeting that Paramount Kyungu of Karonga and Chitipa District convened regarding disagreements between the Karonga Concerned Citizens over the Garnet Halliday water plant, Senior Chief Mwilang’ombe, said it was unfortunate and sad that the grouping had over stepped a mark by penning the utility provider to reinstate the removed parts within seven days.

“The actions that this grouping has taken is unfortunate considering that they are our children, contact and dialog should have been the first thing they should have done instead of drafting a letter and giving out ultimatums,” he said.

The traditional leader has since expressed worry over the grouping’s interest to request NRWB to reinstate the removed parts may affect the progress of the Karonga Town Water Supply Project.

Reacting to the summon Joshua Mzembe a member of the Karonga Concerned Citizens, said as a grouping who value and believe in contact and dialog, they are ready to have an interface with the chiefs.

“We are more than ready to have a round table discussion with the chiefs as this is a great opportunity to present their concerns to them,” Mzembe explained.

During a meeting held in January 2022, the then Minister of Natural Resources Nancy Tembo ordered that the plant be returned to the community.