MALAWI Detailed Findings 1. Blantyre City Council Category 1: Website www.bccmw.com Unlike the previous research studies, this year, the Blantyre City Council has a well-established and updated website as well as a Facebook account. The Council has greatly improved from the previous years’ research. The site has the following sections: About BCC; Explore; Projects; Services; Media Room; Departments; and Mayor’s Office. The website proved to be different from all websites. Under the section ‘Mayor’s Office,’ the page does not only provide information on BCC’s structure, but also displays well-detailed contact information of the Mayor and Councillor for Blantyre City. In addition, the Council provides a mechanism for requests for information and feedback through emails. However, the website provides little information on agreements and contracts. Bearing in mind the fact that the Council gets involved in many projects surrounding Blantyre City, there is a need to provide a section on procurement procedures and operations. n = 20 1. Does this website contain up to date information? Yes No Partial Additional Information • 2. Does the website contain the following: a) A description of its powers, as well as data on the organisational structure, the functions, and the responsibilities of the administration? • b) A list of laws, Acts etc. issued within the scope of its powers? c) Reports, policies, programmes? • • d) Budget and expenditure? • e) Information about procurement procedures, signed contracts? • f) Vacancy and employment procedures? • g) The address, telephone number, and working hours of the institution? • h) The contact details of specific public officials? • i) A mechanism to request and receive a response to electronic messages and requests for information? • Total Score: 14/20 CATEGORY 2: REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION The following questions were sent to Blantyre City Council: 1. There are reports that Blantyre City Council intends to demolish some structures in the City. How did the City authorities identify the structures earmarked for demolition? 2. What will happen to the land where the demolished structures are? 3. Does Blantyre City Council have any plans to compensate the owners of the buildings earmarked for demolition? 4. What are some of the key projects that the Council is currently working on, including any plans implemented to improve sanitation and congestion in some residential areas in the City? 5. What are some of the challenges the Council faces in its efforts to improve congestion on the City’s roads? 13