By Patience Longwe

Lilongwe, September 27, Mana: Director of Fisheries, Dr Hastings Zidana, has emphasized the significance of Refresh Project, stating that it is closely aligned with the department’s strategic plan known as the Chambo Restoration Plan.

Addressing attendees during the handover ceremony on Friday at Capital Hill in Lilongwe, Zidana said due to the diminishing fish stock in Lake Malawi, the Department strategically identified key fish species for focused management, particularly those of economic importance.

“We have meticulously developed the Chambo Restoration Plan, and in our quest for support we engaged the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which subsequently initiated the project aimed at rejuvenating our fisheries resources,” he articulated.

Zidana disclosed that the equipment received is valued at US$190,000, constituting a fraction of the overall project cost of US$18 million.

The Department has committed US$190,000 towards procurement of the necessary equipment, which has been instrumental in its operations over the past four years.

Refresh Project Chief of Party, Dr Daniel Jimu, lauded the past five years as remarkably fruitful, underscoring the strong partnership and collaboration with the Department of Fisheries.

He underscored that the project, a bilateral agreement between the United States government and Malawi government, was designed to address critical issues within the fisheries sector to bolster economic prosperity, food security and the livelihoods of Malawians.