MANAonline
Kasungu district to plant 3.5 million trees
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, February 22, Mana: Kasungu District Council Assistant Forestry Officer Leah Ndovi says the support the district receives from partners will help it easily achieve its target of planting at least 3.5 million trees during the current planting season.
Ndovi was speaking on Wednesday during a tree planting exercise organized by the National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) at Kadoweke Primary School in Traditional Authority Mwase in the district.
She said: “We are encouraged by the support from NCIC in form of 3,000 tree seedlings which we will plant in various schools and villages. This is a big boost towards achieving our target of planting not less than 3.5 million trees this season.
“We are working on improving the survival rate of the trees that we plant. One strategy is planting while we are still receiving good rains, and also by ensuring that woodlots are properly weeded to protect them from bush fires,” she said.
Ndovi also condemned the practice of planting trees and failing to care for them, saying a lot of resources go into the preparation of tree nurseries hence the need to ensure that the investment does not go down the drain.
Chief Executive Officer for NCIC, Engineer Gerald Khonje, said the exercise was part of the annual activities that the construction industry regulatory body conducts towards the protection and management of the environment.
“In the execution of our mandate to ensure that the construction industry is transformed and quality driven, we take part in a number of interventions that work towards the protection and management of the environment because we are aware that construction activities have an impact on the environment.
“When we want to construct something, we cut trees to clear the bushes. As such, we established a policy that when companies in the construction industry do their work, there should responsible care to protect the environment. They should also take part in reforestation initiatives,” said Khonje.
He added that this year, NCIC has sourced 10,000 tree seedlings which will be planted in all the three regions of the country.
In his remarks, Group Village Head Msolola said chiefs will see to it that bylaws that were made to protect trees are enforced.
This season, the tree planting activities are being conducted under the theme: “Forest innovation in action: reforestation for sustainable tomorrow”
Human rights partners bemoan delayed enactment of new Prison and Correctional Act
By Priscilla Phiri
Lilongwe, February 21, Mana: Human rights stakeholders have expressed concern over the delayed enactment of the new Prison and Correctional Act saying it is infringing on prisoners’ rights.
The human rights players said this Wednesday at a press briefing at the Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe.
The briefing was organised by the Centre for Human Rights Education, Advice and Assistance (CHREAA) to demonstrate their concerns over the matter.
Paralegal Advisory Services Institute Chief Executive Officer, Clifford Msiska, highlighted the need to enact the new Prison and Correctional Act in order to mitigate congestion and overcrowding in prisons.
“Our prisons are overly crowded and one of the major contributing factors is that there are prisoners who are eligible for release but are failing to pay for bail such that it is even difficult for them to access basic sanitation like toilets.
“Right now, 100 prisoners use one toilet which is against the recommended number of 50 prisoners to one toilet. We wish the current bill was enacted for us to reduce the numbers in the prisons and for prisoners to enjoy their rights,” said Msiska.
Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) Director of Civil and Political Rights, Peter Chisi, said over the past fifteen years, the situation in prisons has worsened due to lack of progressive legislations hence calling for an amendment of the current Prisons Act.
“As you know, under Section 14 of the Human Right Commission Act, we have a mandate to review and analyse legislative bills. All these years we have been waiting for the Ministry of Homeland Security to review the proposal governing legislation of prisons so that we can bring our inputs to revise content,” said Chisi.
He pleaded with the Members of Parliament to demand tabling of the new Prisons Bill from the Ministry of Homeland Security.
Chairperson for Parliamentary Committee on Social and Community Affairs, Savel Kafwafwa, expressed commitment to discuss with relevant committees such as Defence, Security and Legal Affairs and collaborate in protecting and ensuring the marginalised groups are heard.
Scale up efforts to reduce non-revenue water, water boards advised
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, February 21, Mana: Ministry of Water and Sanitation Principal Secretary, Elias Chimlambe, has advised water boards in the country to scale up their efforts to reduce non-revenue water that occurs due to theft of water supply equipment, pipe bursts and leakages.
He made the remarks in Lilongwe on Wednesday during Project for Strengthening the Capacity of Non-Revenue Water Reduction for Lilongwe Water Board (LiSCap) 10th Joint Coordinating Committee (JCC) meeting.
The meeting was organized by Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Chimlambe said non-revenue water remains a challenge among water boards in the country hence the need to put an extra gear in a quest to address the challenge.
“Non-revenue water is still a big challenge among water utility companies in Malawi hence the need to put more effort to fight the challenge,” Chimlambe said.
He added that combating non-revenue water would help improve supply of potable water to the public by which would assist achieving one of the key priorities in the Malawi 2063 on increased availability of potable water in the country.
He, therefore, hailed LWB for its commitment to addressing non-revenue water through LiSCap project implemented with support from JICA since 2019.
He urged other water boards in the country to emulate LWB’s example if they are to address non-revenue water challenge.
LWB Chief Executive Officer, Silli Mbewe, said through LiSCap project the Board has made positive strides in reducing non-revenue water.
“We have made significant strides in this journey with the project now scheduled to come to completion in December 2024. In the last JCC we reported around 40 percent decrease in non-revenue water but now we have reported 38 percent decrease.
“It is just two percent movement but quite significant in as far as the war against non-revenue water is concerned. If you quantify the two percent it is translating to a saving of two million litres which translates to K400 million saved,” he said.
JICA Chief Representative, Kazuhiro Tambara, said JICA is committed to provide more support to LWB to sustain reducing non-revenue water.
Malera calls for re-think on AIP implementation
By Tabbu Kitta Kauye
Lilongwe, February 21, Mana: Ombudsman Grace Malera has asked government to consider reprogramming the Affordable Input Program (AIP) saying it has for years failed to make the country food secure.
Malera made the remarks in Dowa when she presented the final report on systemic investigations on AIP implementation from 2022 to 2024 growing seasons.
The Ombudsman stated that there have been some improvements in AIP implementation among them good political will and programming at technical level which, she said, has increased yields at household level.
“Although there have been some improvements, there are still some maladministration that weaken the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the programme. For instance, corruption and unethical conduct by stakeholders involved in the programme,” she said.
Malera stated that AIP comes at a huge cost and the cost benefit analysis does not reflect the billions spent in the implementation of the program hence the call for the government to reprogram and rethink the programme.
The Office of the Ombudsman has recommended that, among others, in the long term government must continue putting on its agenda an exit strategy for AIP and in the processing of graduation from AIP there must be mechanisms of mitigating vulnerability in certain categories.
“In the short term, there should be fundamental remodeling of the subsidy programs, to optimize on efficiencies, effectives and responsiveness to fit into the Malawi 2063 goals,” said Malera.
National AIP Coordinator in the Ministry of Agriculture, Justin Kagona, said government has already started reprogramming and improving the program to ensure that beneficiaries are assisted.
Kagona said: “We gave have been reducing the number of beneficiaries from 3.8 million in 2020-2021 to 1.5 million in 2022-2023. This shows that government is modifying and improving AIP.
“While we are reducing the number of AIP beneficiaries, we are increasing on commercial production like mega farms and agriculture commercialization and provision of loans to commercial farmers under the Nation Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to achieve food security.”
Former Flames keeper body off to KK for burial
By Arkangel Tembo
Lilongwe, February 21, Mana: The mortal remains of former Flames goalkeeper, Charles Swini, left area 51 in Lilongwe Wednesday afternoon for Lozi Village in Nkhotakota where he will be laid to rest.
Hundreds of football supporters led by Malawi's Attorney General, Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda, stood at exactly 1:15pm and watch the convoy of white Civo United 36 seater coaster leave Swini's residence.
Football supporters braced the heat to watch their hero being whisked away in a brown coffin bought by Member of Parliament (MP) for Kasungu North, Mike Bango, who was his closest friend.
Silver Strikers and Civo United players as well supporters turned out in their large numbers to pay homage to Swini, who also played for their clubs.
Swini died Tuesday at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe after stones were found in his kidney.
Speeches were made from the bereaved family, football officials and the clergy before the body’s departure for Nkhotakota.
Choir members were singing, "Amayi tsalani ngakhale mundikonda Ambuye tsogoleleni ndili ndekha,"As the driver of the coaster kick start the bus to start their journey.
The convoy headed out towards the main road to Area 25 all the way to the M1 road.
People gathered along the route to bid a final farewell to Swini, with many making a cross with their arms. Other took photos with their cellphones.
In area 25 road, the convoy was warmly received, with hundreds of people singing and waving at the coffin as it passed by.
There was a festive atmosphere, with fans dressed in Silver Strikers regalia, waving, as some were chanting, "A Charlo yendani bwino Mulungu akuyang'anireni."
Swini, who was born on 30th April, 1983 is survived by a wife and three children.
Mana photo journalist, Arkangel Tembo captured the ceremony on camera.
Blantyre DC dates head teachers, PEAs
By Memory Kutengule Chatonda
Blantyre, February 21, Mana: District Commissioner for Blantyre, Alex Mdooko, has advised head teachers from primary schools under Blantyre Rural South West Education Division to desist from chasing learners out of classes because of school development fund and uniforms.
Mdooko made the remarks in Blantyre on Wednesday during the management and refresher meeting with Primary Education Advisors (PEAs), inspectors and head teachers for all primary schools from the division.
Mdooko said no learner in the district should be denied chance to attend school saying the tendency contributes to absenteeism.
“No child should be sent away simply because of failure to pay such funds. You have School Improvement Grants that can be used instead to bridge some gaps. Also, learners coming from poor families should be supported by School Management Committees and Parents Teacher Associations,” he said.
Mdooko cautioned head teachers against giving corporal punishment to learners noting: “This is outlawed and should not be condoned and those punishments that are meted to unruly pupils should not be harmful. If anything a child should be allowed to attend lessons and do the punishment during free time or after knocking off.”
He, therefore, commended PEAs, inspectors and head teachers in Blantyre Rural for improved performance in Primary School Leaving Certificate Examinations results where the district moved from number 28 to number 16.
Mdooko advised authorities to work harder so that the district could move to a single-digit position.
He also appealed for strong collaboration between teachers and members of the community so that together they can reduce absenteeism, early pregnancies which lead to child marriages.
Head Teacher for Naotcha Primary School, Lawrence Msaleni, commended Mdooko for the tips, pledging to take every advice given with seriousness.
Msaleni, who is also Inspector of Schools for Blantyre Rural, said head teachers will continue to dedicate themselves to work to achieve the goals set to promote education standards in the district.
“We pledge to obey the rules and regulations as stipulated in the public service which include discipline,” he said.
MEC impressed with voter verification turn out in Karonga
By Wakisa Myamba
Karonga, February 21, Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) Chairperson for Electoral Services Committee, Commissioner Olivia Liwewe, has expressed satisfaction with voters’ turn-up for verification exercise at different registration centres in Karonga.
She made the sentiments Tuesday after inspecting registration Centre’s ahead of the local government by-elections to be held in the district on March 26, 2024.
"I have inspected 13 registration Centre’s; eight on Monday and five today (Tuesday). We have positive start in all these centres as majority of people are coming for the exercise," said Liwewe.
While admitting low turn-up for new registrants, Commissioner Liwewe expressed optimism that the status quo will improve.
"New registrants are likely to be few because these are people who have just attained 18 years. Another reason is that registration exercise has just started. Majority of people will show up after information about the exercise fully reaches out their localities," she said.
Supervisor for Baka Primary School Registration Centre, Joyce Kapepa, emphasized on the need to intensify community mobilization to encourage more people to go for registration and verification exercises.
The by-elections will be taking place after three wards in the district fell vacant on September 1, 2023 following conviction of three ward councilors who were found guilty of pocketing K2.4 million from 80 Karonga market vendors promising them plots in 2019.
Relocating refugee campsite good for national security – Zikhale
By Patience Longwe
Lilongwe, February 22, Mana: Minister of Homeland Security, Ken Zikhale Ng'oma, says relocating a refugee camp from Dowa to Chitipa will minimize the security lapses in the country by some refugees who come with intentions to disturb the country’s security.
Responding to a question by Member of Parliament (MP) for Chitipa Wenya, Davis Ng’ambi, in Parliament on Tuesday, Ng'oma said Malawi was the only country which was not following laws enacted by United Nations (UN) regarding refugee campsite.
Ng’ambi asked the Minister to clarify on steps which were followed to identify and establish a campsite in relation to international boundary or protected game reserves and engagement with surrounding communities.
"UN laws regarding refugee camps asserts that a refugee camp should be 50 kilometres away from the boarder. Malawi as a sovereign state respects the rule of law, so moving a campsite from Dowa to Chitipa is in line with UN laws," he said.
Ng'oma further said government used a contact and dialogue criteria with stakeholders in choosing a place for the refugee camp in Chitipa.
"The District Commissioner for Chitipa invited all stakeholders for a meeting. Information regarding the meeting was published. So, for the MP to say that he is not aware of the meeting is a surprise to me. This demonstrates that he is sleeping on the job," he said.
MACRA to roll out ‘Yathu’ data network
By Lyte Ali
Mangochi, February 21, Mana: Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) is set to roll out a community brand band network known as Yathu data across the country as one way of ensuring that Malawians have access to reasonably priced data.
MACRA Director General, Daud Suleman, disclosed this in Mangochi on Tuesday during a training of community broadband operators.
The operators will help the Authority in providing a test to the new model on a pilot phase in eight districts across the country.
Suleman said the coming in of Yathu data will help to bring a competitive market on data thereby allowing Malawians access to affordable data bundles and access to internet.
“Very soon people will see a network on their mobile phone called Yathu. Click that network, as it will connect and direct you to buy a bundle electronically. This is an affordable bundle compared to other data available in the country.
“This means that on top of the mobile data provided by TNM and Airtel networks, there is an alternative which a customer can choose from. We hope that the coming in of Yathu network brings competitive markets, pricing and affordable networks for access to data bundles,” he said.
Yathu data will be operated by cooperatives in order to allow rural and hard to reach areas across the country access the network service.
So far we eight cooperatives have been registered and will start operating the network in the piloted districts.
“This will help to test the model where we want to ensure that even rural and hard to reach areas have access to internet,” said Suleman.
Chairperson for one of the licensed cooperatives, Click and Connect Cooperative, Kettie Kamwangala, commended MACRA for the initiative saying it will help create more jobs in the digital industry.
“Apart from that, more Malawians, mostly in the rural areas, will now have access to data. This service has already started creating employment to most people in the digital industry.
“As such, we will make sure to bring the service closer to people that do not have enough money to spend on data,” said Kamwangala.
In Malawi, 80 percent of the population live in rural areas where internet penetration is a challenge.
GGL starts reaping from agriculture commercialization
By Donald Zimba
Lilongwe, February 20, Mana: The Greenbelt Greenhouse Limited (GGL) says it has now started reaping fruits of agriculture commercialization after exporting 70 tons of bell pepper to South Africa since November 2023 and realizing about US$65,000.
According to Sales and Marketing Manager Tamandani Chanza, the company is making significant strides that will go a long way to contributing to forex generation for Malawi.
Chanza said: “Today we are exporting three tons of bell pepper to South Africa where we have secured markets. This trip is the 26th in four months. And that should show you that we are quite serious with the venture.”
Asked on how GGL managed to stay competitive on South African Market, considering that South Africa is a major food and vegetable producer and exporter globally, Chanza was quick to point out that as a company they are very serious on quality control, starting from the greenhouses to processing and packaging.
“Everything is precise and regulated in the pump house, starting from the amount of water, fertilizer, and pesticide that each plant gets.
“And even the amount of light that the plants get is regulated to make sure the plant gets only what it needs to have quality produce; that way, no market would reject our product,” she explained.
Commenting on the development, Agriculture Production Manager for the Greenbelt Authority (GBA), Mesiah Moleni, disclosed that at first they had challenges with securing markets, as they were only supplying to local markets.
“With the South Africa deal, we are hopeful to penetrate more external markets. We are in talks with Democratic Republic of Congo and Botswana. I must say as an authority we are satisfied with what GGL is doing,” said Moleni.
Apart from forex, GGL has also contributed to job creation in the country, having employed about 130 Malawians.
This development comes barely days after President Lazarus Chakwera delivered his 4th State of the Nation Address where he emphasized that agriculture commercialization was one of the sure ways of getting Malawi out of the economic challenges experienced in 2023.
