Lilongwe Mayor Bikoko launches ‘adopt a street’ campaign: 7 companies sign MoU

Lilongwe City Council Mayor ,Councilor  Dr  Desmond Bikoko has  signed a Memorundam of Understanding with  seven private companies on adopt a street campaign in which the latter would adopt a street each to electrify and manage.

Speaking during the function onThursday, the signing ceremony of adopt a street campaign marks an important day in the transformation of the capity city because the initiative will enhance citizens participation in the development of Lilongwe City.

“As we work on improving service delivery, we are mindful that there are certain areas where we lack capacity and must partner with the business community. Management and street lighting project is one of those areas,” said Bikoko.

The signing of the contract took place at the Lilongwe Civic Centre in Lilongwe and it followed a bid that was floated by the Council on the cause where the seven companies emerged successful.

Bikoko said as a Council they realized that they were lacking capacity in certain areas, among them management in street lighting, and that they thought of partnering with the community.

“This will in turn lift the financial burden on the council, and ensure that Lilongwe streets have light at night thus, enhancing security on the streets at night and adding to the city’s beauty after sunset,” explained Bikoko.

He said the Council looked forward to creative adverts erected by the contracting companies along the streets and attractive billboards that would further beautify the city.

Bikoko further described the contract as a business opportunity for the companies but he asked the companies to be patriotic as they carried out their activities on the adopted streets.

“We therefore urge you to actively take up your end of the bargain. I know this was a business opportunity for you but I want to encourage you to also be patriotic as you carry out your activities on the adopted streets. As city council retains its supervisory role will make sure that we provide constructive feedback. Similarly, we want you to provide the same feedback to us,” the Mayor said/

Bikoko added; “As we champion a transformational agenda, it is high time that the City Council eradicated issues regarding street lighting and road maintenance. This is one of the agendas in the Lilongwe Master Plan that highlights street lighting under transport development. As a Council, we believe that this partnership is a necessary step towards achieving this goal and facilitating sustainable development in the city of Lilongwe.”

In the contract, the City Council will retain its supervisory role and it will provide constructive feedback while the companies are expected to fully manage the streets and provide feedback to the Council too, according to the Mayor.

The seven companies under contract with the LCC are Alliance One, Afro Media, Cydo/Yedef Waste Management, Globe Internet, Media Alliance, and Media Solutions.

Representative for Media Solutions, Sammy Karuku, described the contract as a business opportunity which he said would help propel their businesses while beautifying the city in the process.

“This is a win-win venture and we will take this opportunity to advertise our businesses along the streets we are going to light while the City Council will also benefit as they will not be bothered with the electricity bills,” said Karuku.

The Council has given the companies 30 days to mobilize their resources and get the streets alight.

Each contract has a time frame of 3 years and thereafter the Council will decide whether to renew with the same companies or not, according to Mayor Bikoko.

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