By John Witness

Balaka, November 14, Mana:  Local Authority Committee of Parliament on Wednesday, toured the Balaka District Council to appreciate various projects implemented under District Development Fund (DDF) and Governance for Enabled Service Delivery (GESD) support in the district.

Speaking after touring Balaka District Hospital guardian shelter and Rivirivi Extension Planning Area (EPA), the committee’s chairperson, Horace Chipuwa, expressed satisfaction with the progress of the projects saying they reflected development aspirations of people in the area.

“In the absence of the guardian shelter, l know that people were sleeping outside. New EPA offices have bailed extension staff from using old offices which were in very bad state. We will write a report and present to Parliament so that the house should appreciate.

“Construction of Rivirivi Extension Planning Area (EPA) office has shown a significant transition from old and dilapidated offices to new office,” he added.

Balaka District Director of Health and Social Services, Dr. Chimwemwe Thambo, said construction of the guardian shelter was ideal and timely but stressed the need for the speedy construction of additional toilets and a kitchen to provide conducive environment for the shelter users.

The council’s Director of Planning and Development (DPD), Chris Nawata, said the local authority was happy with the committee's sentiments on the DDF and GESD supported projects.

"We are impressed with their sentiments as regards to progress of the projects. The committee’s remarks are very encouraging,” he said.

Nawata said there was need to increase GESD funding to enable the council to implement more projects to satisfy people’s development needs.

“We adopted a package approach to ensure that each project has elements such as water, electricity and staff houses, and in our Annual Investment Plan we have a lot more projects that need to be done as soon as possible,” he added.

Agricultural Extension Development Coordinator (AEDC) for the Rivirivi EPA, Bexstor Soko explained to the committee negative impacts of working in an old and dilapidated office, saying the old office provided unconducive work environment for the staff.

“The structure was almost a death trap especially when it is raining and wind blowing. The new office is a game changer to us as well as the famers we serve,

“We can comfortably converge here with farmers because we also have a conference room within the building,” he added.

New Rivirizi EPA office was constructed using GESD funds while Balaka District Hospital guardian shelter was constructed with DDF