Govt encourages fire proof market construction

Government says it is no encouraging construction of fire proof markets following fires that have gutted down a dozen markets in the past months. [caption id="attachment_98648" align="alignright" width="520"] Flashback: Residents witnessing destruction that fire had caused at Mzuzu Market[/caption] [caption id="attachment_98647" align="alignright" width="448"] Nankhumwa: Fire proof market[/caption] Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Kondwani Nankhumwa said Thursday in parliament the market fires remain a concern to the government, saying they affect the economic development of the country. "The ministry is encouraging the construction of fire proof markets," said Nankhumwa. In the past months, fire has razed down these markets, Salima, Area 18 in Lilongwe, Mwanza, Kasungu and Mzuzu among others. Nankhumwa said the ministry has discovered that some of the markets razed down by fire were constructed with plywood and cardboards which are highly inflammable. Nankhumwa did not however say how much has been lost in the fires and how many people have been arrested for deliberately starting the fires to get compensation. The minister however said fire proof markets would attract insurance brokers who would be interested to insure market merchandise. He said getting insurance cover for market merchandise minimises losses in the event of another fire.