KARONGA(MaraviPost)–After comforting over 1000 people affected by floods at Kakoma in Malawi’s border district of Karonga on Friday, President Peter Mutharika proceeded to declare Karonga-Chitipa road as “Bingu high way” in honoring former Malawi President late Bingu Wa Mutharika who is credited for the completion of the road. According to Mutharika, the name follows the demand from the chiefs of both Karonga and Chitipa and not his party.
He said DPP will continue to respect people’s demands and pledge to develop the northern region like other regions.
“My government will continue developing this region and respect its residents. On the name ‘Bingu high way,’ it was the Chiefs who consulted government and not me or DPP,” said Mutharika.
Paramount Chief Kyungu warned the people who are against the decision while threatening to chase them out of his area saying “chiefs are the owner of the land.”
He disclosed that the decision was from Chiefs in collaboration with the law makers of both districts.
Early this week, some concern citizens of Karonga and Chitipa petitioned government to with draw the decision arguing that the process was unacceptable.
The group also threatened to hold massive demonstration today but they failed because of being threatened by the law enforcers and some DPP cadets according to Steven Simsokwe who is the leader.
Meanwhile, Simsokwe is yet to announce their plan B as he still in exile. The multi-billion kwacha Karonga-Chitipa road was officially opened in January 2013 by the Joyce Banda administration.