Following rampant protests against the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) in the northern region, Malawi government sent four senior cabinet ministers to the Northern region who had a roundtable dialogue meeting with businesses from Chitipa, Karonga, Rumphi, Mzimba, Nkhatabay and Mzuzu City.

During the meeting, the Interim secretary for Concerned Businesspersons in the North Mzondi Mkandawire outlined that MRA did not respond to their grievances, like government contracts to locals, employment of youths in the region. “Also the completion of current road projects and the most contentious Chitipa-Mbirima road which in a very bad state as we speak,” said Mkandawire.

In response, the ministers outlined that government projects are being undertaken in the region ranging from road construction projects, agriculture, irrigation and telecoms infrastructure development projects that are worth over K800 billion.

Minister of Transport and Public Works Ralph Jooma said all projects that government started will be completed and that works will soon start to reconstruct the M1 road from Jenda to Chiweta. In concurrence by Roads Authority Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel Matapa who said a contractor BBM Infratech is the one doing some works for the upgrade.

Some of the businesses expressed worry on the level of revenue that the region is contributing and have since offered to help tip government where else to collect revenue from with trust that they be given contracts to employ more Malawians.