DoDMA makes swift move on Maula Prison disaster: Malawi VP Chilima on ‘ground zero’
The Malawi government on Friday made a rare pro-active approach to issues when it moved in quickly with assistance to Maula prison which has had some cells and office buildings destroyed by hail storms and ‘rains of terror’ on Thursday.
Just hours after the incident, officials from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs DoDMA were on the ground responding to the crisis hand in hand with City Council officials clearing debris in the city.
Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima, who is also Minister of Disaster Management Affairs, demonstrated what working around the clock means.
After meeting Mzuzu Council officials and representatives of a swampy area called Masasa on Friday evening to press for relocation, attending to International Day for Disaster Reduction commemoration on Saturday morning in Mzuzu and then visiting Masasa area in the afternoon, the Vice President went straight to Maula prison in Lilongwe to assess the situation first hand and assure that government would do what is possible to ensure that everything is back to normal by Tuesday.
“If I were not in Mzuzu I would have been here in the morning. Please use the assistance we have brought to cushion the suffering. Fix the iron sheets and everything by Tuesday. We will be with you and everything has to be done by Tuesday,” directed Chilima.
The Vice President also directed the prison to return back the iron sheets which a government supplier had delivered because they were of low quality.
“I don’t think these are the iron sheets that DoDMA ordered. Call the supplier now to get back these iron sheets and deliver what was ordered. Putting these kind of iron sheets is courting more trouble,” said Chilima.
Earlier, as he toured the destroyed cells the veep recieved a standing ovation from the vocal prisoners who shouted words of praise for him. Others chanted ‘Chilima! Chilima! Chilima!”
Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :
Let the dodma affirm their stand on the supplier it might be them who are the cheats
The VP is a star. He puts in hardwork and he’s an inspiration to many. I wish more politicians were like him. Malawi would develop..
Good development. But Govt should plan to build better prisons in future. Need to plant more trees and focus on an alternative source of fuel like gas.. to minimise deforestation.
Caps yachilima alembapo kuti chiani, USarmy….. Kikik koma chilima!
Achilima izitu ndiye zothandiza osati kuti amakayendera anthu anyimbo za machoir.
I just like this guy when it comes to working hard, but unfortunately he is with the guys who retired from work long time ago. I wish Chilima was on the driving seat to drive Malawi like the way he does. He changed a lot in civil service through reform program but politicians who have sorrounded our President Mutharika only saw politics. I wish politics had a time flame. Chilima continue doing a good job even if you are on the corner
“I don’t think these are the iron sheets that DoDMA ordered. Call the supplier now to get back these iron sheets and deliver what was ordered. Putting these kind of iron sheets is courting more trouble,” said Chilima. Wow we have our own Magufuli, at last. Fellow malawians, let’s rally behind this young man. I see swift decisive leadership qualities here that our country so desperately requires if it is to get out of poverty. Chakwera is too slow! Further more he will have to be relying on the very recycled politicians of the Sidik Mias to get any decision… Read more »