Mkaika MP calls for more banks

–Mkaika Member of Parliament, Peter Phiri, has called on government to send more banking houses to Katete district.

Mr Phiri said it is sad that to date Katete district has only one bank, Finance Bank, which has established a business house with Zanaco and Baclays Bank only having one ATM machine each.

The Member of Parliament told ZANIS in Katete in a phone interview that it is unfortunate that people have to suffer in order to access their money.

He explained that this state of affairs has continued to expose people, especially civil servants, to great danger in the area who have to travel 91 km to Chipata district to withdraw money during their pay days as most ATMs in the district usually malfunction during such periods.

Mr Phiri said not only is it dangerous for one to travel but also detrimental to development as people leave work for at least a day in order to travel and access good banking services in Chipata.

He noted that once more banking houses are opened in the area it will save people’s time and improve service delivery to the public that seek help from deferent government departments and Non-Governmental Organisation on a daily basis.

Mr Phiri has since appealed to government to quickly consider opening Zanaco in the district as most civil servants are saving with it.

He said this will further enable civil servants to quickly lay complaints with the bank once they notice any mishap pertaining to banking services.

Meanwhile, Mr Phiri has commended government for its plans to construct a University of Applied Arts in Katete district.

The Area Member of Parliament said he is very happy that government has thought of giving people of Katete district good education and jobs at the same time.

He said people in the district are anxious to see to it that the projects quickly starts.

He noted that this will further empower people in the province to venture into skills training careers which will easily translate into job creation.