BLANTYRE CITY COUNCIL

STATEMENT BY
THE MAYOR
CLLR NOEL CHALAMANDA
AT THE EXTRA ORDINARY
COUNCIL MEETING
HELD
IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER
ON
TUESDAY
21ST JULY 2015

 The Deputy Mayor

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development
Hon Tarsizius Gowelo MP
Members of Parliament present here
Fellow Councillors
The Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Alfred Chanza
Directors and other members of staf
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen
I am delighted this morning for the opportunity to deliver this
statement at this very important extra ordinary Council meeting
when the Council is expected to look at the allocation of K1.8
billion Road Rehabilitation Funds for 2015/2016 Financial year.
It is with profound gratitude and pleasure that I welcome you all
to this meeting of Council Members. I hope you had pleasant and
happy Eid celebrations.
The Deputy Mayor, Acting CEO and members of the
Council,
Before I talk about our gratitude for the road infrastructure fund,
let me from the bottom of my heart thank all council members for
fully participating in the July 6 independence celebrations which
our beautiful city had the privilege to host. In a special way, let
me thank the Minister of Local Government and Rural
Development, Honourable Tarsizius Gowelo for personally being
with us when we officially granted Freedom of the City to
President of Zambia Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu. I also would like to
appreciate the support rendered by the secretariat led by the
Acting Chief Executive Officer Dr Alfred Chanza. The Preparations

were fantastic and I felt very proud to be the Mayor of the City. It
was a momentous occasion which we should all cherish.
Deputy Mayor, Acting CEO, Members of the Council
This morning I am reminded of the words of Simon Sinek and I
quote: The true price of leadership is the willingness to place the
needs of others above your own. Great leaders truly care about
those they are privileged to lead and understand that the true
cost of the leadership privilege comes at the expense of selfinterest. Whatever we do - whatever we initiate - whatever we
approve we need to undoubtedly declare that its in the interest of
the residents we serve.
The issue at hand today is very important. One of the basic
facilities that should not to be compromised if a city or indeed a
country has to develop is road infrastructure. We need a very
good road network to be able to move about doing our
businesses. If we improve the condition of the roads in our City,
everything will fall into place. We will be able to attract potential
investors that will help develop our City.
Allow me to borrow words from an American businessman, Roger
McNamee, who said and I quote: We need to stop thinking about
infrastructure as an economic stimulant and start thinking about
it as a strategy. Economic stimulants produce Bridges to Nowhere.
Strategic investment in infrastructure produces a foundation for
long-term growth.
I am aware the money is coming from central government
through the Roads Authority and that they have advised on which
roads needs to be rehabilitated. This is commendable and on
behalf of the whole council let me thank government for this
timely intervention. The K1.8 billion will go a long way in
transforming the road network and make mobility easier for our
residents and visitors. This will also compliment our efforts as we

try, with limited resources we have as a council, to improve the

road infrastructure in our wards and the entire City.
Let us deliberate with the whole City in mind and not necessarily
our wards. Let us give input to see if the roads that have been
chosen on advice from the Roads Authority will have the much
needed impact in our City. I dont think we are stopped from
giving advice considering that we are the ones in touch with the
residents of Blantyre and we know what they want and which
roads they day by day cry for rehabilitation.
Deputy Mayor, Acting CEO, Members of the Council
I do not intend to take much of your time. Let me wish you very
fruitful deliberations. Like how we have done before, let us make
positive contributions for the better of our beautiful City.
I thank you all for your attention.
God bless us and God bless Blantyre.