Ministry of Information says it is lobbying for funds with Treasury for construction of towers in areas experiencing intermittent network connectivity.

Information Minister Moses Kunkuyu disclosed this on Tuesday in Parliament when questioned by the lawmakers as to what government is doing to deal with the network challenge.

In his response, Kunkuyu said much as the development requires huge investment, the information ministry has been lobbying with Treasury on possible appropriation of funds for erection of the towers.

He said: “We have made a commitment that with engagements that we have had the service providers but also under the Universal Service Fund towers will be built in those constituencies.”

Information Minister added that the funds will be appropriated towards the Universal Service Fund.

“When we have no funds in there, there is no way you can undertake this task of constructing new towers we are lobbying with responsible ministry for finance through this august House that we may have some funds appropriated towards the Universal Service Fund as a legal obligation so that they should be able to construct towers in other parts that also need to be serviced,” Kunkuyu said.

On lawmaker who quizzed the minister was Yona Adadawiza Mkandawire of Rumphi West who asked the Minister for an update on the undertaking he made that TNM and Airtel Malawi will erect towers at Bembe by December last year.

Mkandawire questioned Kunkuyu as to when will these service providers erect towers to resolve network challenges for Bembe, Sokolo Nkhozo, Luviri, Luhono, and Chirambo-Chitanga Kasasa areas.

Meanwhile, Kunkuyu has told the legislative house that there are others [service providers] that we are relocating from other places to other new sites in an attempt to bridge the gap.