By Mana
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Dr. Ben Malunga Phiri, on Tuesday joined Japanese Ambassador NAITO Yasushi in a cleaning exercise along Lilongwe Bridge.
Dr. Phiri said it was embarrassing that a foreign partner initiated the cleanliness drive, stressing the need for Malawians to take ownership.
“This is a wake-up call. We need to make cleanliness a tradition,” Dr. Phiri said, vowing to ensure the Lilongwe City Mayor makes the initiative sustainable.
Ambassador Yasushi noted that in Japan, keeping cities clean is everyone’s responsibility, and he expressed hope that this could also become a tradition in Malawi.
The event drew staff from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Ministry of Local Government and Lilongwe City Council.
