By Doreen Chiwalo,
Mwanza District Council has asked Malawi Coalition for Kabaza Stakeholders and Associations (Macokasa) to give the local authority more time to look into what it is contained in Macokasa document before a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is signed between the two parties.
In an interview, Mwanza District Council, Public Relations Officer, Brian Wasili confirmed of the council’s stand on Wednesday after interface meeting between the two parties, saying the council needed additional 14 days to the period earlier agreed upon.
He also said it was imperative that after sensitisation meetings with district stakeholders, the council should sign the MoU.
“There is need to understand it fully because there are some obligations that will require some compliance by the council and its counterpart once the agreement is effected for mutual benefit.
“Therefore, all cadres of the council such as the chiefs, elected members as well as the kabaza taxi operators themselves among others have to be aware and understand the objective of the MoU so that nobody complains afterwards,” said Wasili.
In the two years renewable MoU, Mwanza Kabaza Taxi Operators Association will be under the Macokasa as mother body that will be responsible for facilitating road safety capacity building, in conjunction with police, linking with financial lending institutions for economic empowerment through soft loans, among others.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency, Macokasa National Chairperson, Moses Mwalabu hailed the council for showing interest to work together with association.
“We are optimistic that after the two-week period as proposed by the council there will be a signing ceremony so that the agreement is implemented.
Mwanza District Kabaza Taxi Operators Association chairperson, Wlson Mpita commended the idea of being linked to the Macokasa, observing more opportunities will come as the association will have a mother body.
“Now that we will be recognized by a national association, that will also bring harmony and sanity in our operations, again, our voice will be heard for quick response,” said Mpita.
