By Dean Chisambo
Salima North Constituency lawmaker Maxwell Mnjemu has expressed dissatisfaction with Minister of Information Shadreck Namalomba’s response regarding network coverage in the area.
Mnjemu raised the issue on Thursday during the August parliamentary sitting, asking Namalomba about network problems that are affecting businesses in his constituency.
He lamented that the minister’s response was not encouraging and requested that his question be placed on the parliamentary order paper.
Mnjemu said: “I am not satisfied because I expected a straightforward answer. It was just a vague response, saying they have heard us and that a team should go and assess the area.”
He added: “I really expected them to say, ‘We have taken note of that; we will send our assessment team and provide results.’”
The legislator emphasised that his constituency is densely populated and also serves as a business hub, particularly because of its location along Lake Malawi.
He encouraged entrepreneurs to invest in the area, particularly in the tourism sector, noting its potential for business growth.
Mnjemu further explained that the area is just 45 kilometres from Salima District, which is approximately 150 kilometres from Lilongwe, making it easily accessible from the capital.
In response, Minister Namalomba advised the lawmaker to resubmit his question on the order paper.
He explained that the main cause of poor network coverage is the unavailability of communication towers across the country.
The minister reassured Mnjemu that the government of President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has initiated a project to construct 128 towers, acknowledging that this is just the beginning.
He added that the Malawi Communications and Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is currently seeking contractors to build 62 of these towers.
Namalomba also appealed to network service providers, Airtel and TNM, stating that they tend to focus on remote areas rather than densely populated zones, which affects service delivery and profitability.
He said: “They should help extend services to remote areas because President Mutharika’s vision is for all Malawians to have access to the internet. By 2030, maybe eight out of ten Malawians should be able to receive online messages.”
The minister also called on other companies responsible for network provision to expand their services to underserved areas, assuring them that they are welcome to invest.
The parliamentary session is ongoing, with legislators raising questions on developmental projects that the government can implement in their respective constituencies.
