Chitipa residents bemoan PTC closure
Malawians in Chitipa district have expressed disappointment over closure of the sole People’s Trading Centre (PTC) retail shop in the district. PTC management embarked on a strategic move to boost business earlier this week, which involved shutting down 20 of their retail shops across the country. Despite having one People’s shop, the district is among those that have fallen victim to the trimming exercise.In an interview with a local radio station, members of a grouping called Concerned Citizens of Chitipa (CCC) described PTC actions as inconsiderate. They pleaded for reopening of the shop, citing negative effects attached to the closure.Peoples Shops: shut.CCC also said the residents depended on the shop for their shopping hence its absence has created a gap which is going to take a long time to be filled. They added that they will now be forced to go to neighbouring Tanzania for shopping which they say involves high costs of travelling.In a separate interview with Nyasaland news, Tupilike Sichoni, a resident of the district said this is a huge blow to all Chitipa dwellers as they will now be purchasing at higher prices goods that they could have cheaply acquired at People’s.Chitipa is one of the fastest growing districts in the northern region. The ongoing construction of the Karonga -Chitipa provides the district with an easy link to Karonga district thereby facilitating trade activities between the two districts.Despite the booming trade in the district, PTC management maintains they were making losses, thus opting for locking its doors. It is not clear as to whether they will reopen Chitipa retail shop once Malawi’s economy recovers.The effect of closing the 20 shops has been less felt in other areas because they have a number of PTC owned shops. On a positive note, people who used to work at the closed stores will be posted to the remaining 65 shops.