Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Malunga Phiri has commended Creck Hardware and General Suppliers Limited Managing Director Apostle Clifford Kawinga for complementing government development efforts.
Phiri said this recently when Kawinga donated two fire engines, valued at K300 million, to Lilongwe City Council and Mangochi Municipal Council.
The minister said the donation will help strengthen emergency response in the two cities, which currently do not have fire engines.
“This is not simply a donation of two vehicles. These are vehicles that will save lives, protect property, and strengthen the emergency response capacity of our cities,” said Phiri.
Phiri also called on other private-sector players to support government in improving fire and emergency services as Malawi’s cities continue to grow.
He said fire emergencies require quick responses, as every minute counts, adding that the lack of fire engines in Lilongwe and Mangochi has been a serious gap.
Phiri said Lilongwe, as the country’s capital, is experiencing rapid growth in residential areas, commercial establishments, industrial activities and high-rise developments, making adequate fire response equipment necessary.
He said Mangochi is also one of the country’s fastest-growing urban centres and faces additional challenges because of its location.
According to Phiri, Mangochi has previously had to rely on fire engines from Zomba, resulting in delays in responding to emergencies.
However, Phiri said the donation should not be seen as the end of efforts to improve fire services in the country.
He said government wants fire engines to be strategically stationed across cities so that they can reach emergencies within a short time.
“For Lilongwe, for example, we should reach a point where we have strategically stationed fire engines across the city,” he said, mentioning Areas 49, Kanengo Industrial Area, Areas 1, 2, 3 and 4, and the City Centre.
Phiri said having fire engines stationed in different areas would reduce the distance they have to travel when responding to emergencies.
He thanked Creck Hardware and General Suppliers Limited for the donation and expressed hope that other companies would support similar initiatives.
Kawinga said the company donated the two fire engines after receiving a proposal from the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.
He said Creck Hardware and General Suppliers Limited remains committed to supporting development initiatives in Malawi.
