By Aliko Munde

Chitipa, March 11, Mana: Chitipa District Council, on Tuesday approved a K22 billion budget for the 2025/2026 fiscal year.

The budget has been revised upwards from last year’s financial plan which was about K19 billion.

Chairperson for Chitipa District Council Finance and Audit Committee, Saidi Lwanja, said that the budget has been pegged at K22.974, 329, 479, representing an increase of 15 percent.

He attributed the budget increase partly to inclusion of new projects in the budget.

“The budget has been increased because we have included new projects and these projects include Regional Climate Resilient Project, Health Centre Rehabilitation Project besides increased wage bill,” Lwanja said.

The Chairperson of the Chitipa District Civil Society Organization Network, Patrick Ziba, described the budget as a positive investment in development.

“The budget is good but there is need for the council to prioritize infrastructure development, health and education,” Ziba said.