Red Star Campaign on track
The long anticipated implementation of red star campaign will soon be a reality as the exercise is just waiting final report ratification by the Full Council of the Blantyre City.
“By October 30, 2015, all buildings earmarked for demolition to be red star painted,” says Chief Architect and campaign coordinator Mathews Mwadzangati.
“The commencement of formal demolition exercise will take place on 1st March 2016 and the actual construction is expected to start on 1st June 2016,” he adds.
He further says; “Currently the main committee is waiting for the ratification of the recommendations by the full council and notifying all developers on the recommendations.”
The red star campaign started during the era of the first President Hastings Kamuzu Banda but stalled due to some problems.
President Arthur Peter Mutharika revived in February this year when he toured Blantyre and Limbe CBDs to appreciate the state of the buildings in the commercial capital.
The red star campaign involves the relocation of businesses, demolition of structures for city initiated development projects.
It also provides opportunities for replacing dilapidated buildings with modern ones that meet the present living and business infrastructure standards to improve the urban environment and cityscape.
Among the main red star campaign committee members include Blantyre City Council, Commissioner of Lands (south), Commissioner for Physical Planning (south), Surveyor Generals office (south), Ministry of Trade and Industry, Malawi Confederations of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Malawi Institute of Engineers (MIE), Malawi Institute of Architects (MIA), Malawi Institute of Physical Planners (MIPP), Surveyors Institute of Malawi (SIM).
It also includes University Of Malawi – Faculty of Built Environment, National Construction Industry Council (NCIC), the Commissioner of Police (south), Blantyre Water Board (BWB), ESCOM, Representatives of the Asian Business Community in both Blantyre and Limbe.
There are about 160 buildings earmarked for demolition, 85 structures for maintenance and 79 buildings need a new coat while 55 buildings were certified to be in good condition in both Blantyre and Limbe.
The campaign is chaired by the Deputy Mayor Councillor Wild Ndipo.