By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, June 30, Mana: National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) has committed to continue engaging contractors on project management as one way of addressing poor service delivery in the construction industry in the country.

Speaking on Saturday during a project management workshop in Salima, NCIC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Eng. Gerald Khonje expressed concern over increased reports on poor and substandard infrastructures in some parts of the country, highlighting that the engagement was crucial as it would enhance standards.

He said they are mandated to promote construction industry in the country by collaborating with different stakeholders such as universities and colleges to provide trainings tailored to address needs and shortfalls in the construction industry.

The CEO said targeting stakeholders in the construction industry was one way of ensuring quality control and that engaging them was one of the interventions employed to instill good practice with professionally designed topics such as contract management, quality control and project management.

"Coming up with a successful project in the infrastructure industry involves so many things, such as budgeting, procuring to actual project implementation, therefore if all these processes are not followed the end product is compromised," Khonje added.

He warned that NCIC would not hesitate to penalize any contractor for poor workmanship, misconduct and none compliance to construction regulations.

"We have a code of conduct that needs to be followed by all registered contractors and we expect adherence to it, that is why we frequently engage stakeholders to raise awareness of all emerging issues, so that we should be on the same page," Khonje viewed.

On a positive note, he said the country was making strides in ensuring quality infrastructures are being developed across all sectors in the country.

Chief Energy Officer in the Ministry of Energy, Austin Theu expressed satisfaction with the training delivered, saying it would help his Ministry to implement successful projects.

He said he would try to incorporate what he has learnt in planning for future projects in accordance to the set standards.

By Golden Kang'oma

Salima, June 30, Mana: National Aids Commission (NAC) Friday decried dwindling financial support from donors which was affecting its operations.

Speaking in Salima district during a Malawi Partnership Forum for HIV and AIDS, NAC Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Beatrice Matanje said the forum's objectives was to take stock of the national response from various angles and ensure that there is a well-directed, coordinated strategy.

She said 80 percent of NAC's funding come from donors therefore without adequate funding, efforts to reduce HIV and AIDS related deaths by 2030 remain challenged.

"We need to find sustainable solutions to maintain our progress, and am stressing that without adequate funding, critical prevention and treatment efforts could falter, risking a resurgence of the epidemic," the CEO added.

She said that, "The National Strategic Pan targets prevention, treatment, and care with a focus on high-risk populations. By 2030, we aim to see a population where HIV and AIDS no longer claim lives. This means reducing new infections and ensuring those living with HIV remain healthy and productive."

Executive Director for Pakachere Institute for Health and Development Communication, Simon Sikwese underscored the forum's role in accountability, as it reviews progress and ensures commitments are being met and that it is essential for making adjustments to keep the country on track.

He said that addressing male participation in prevention efforts is quite challenging.

 "Many men avoid testing due to fear of positive results and logistical barriers. We need to make services more accessible, perhaps through technologies like HIV self-testing, and am sure that reaching men and adolescent boys with tailored interventions is crucial,” the Executive Director observed.

Despite these challenges, Sikwese acknowledged that the country was significant strides in finding the pandemic pointing out that we are doing very okay.

"We've nearly reached epidemic control. Now, we must sustain these efforts and ensure high-risk populations are adequately supported," he said.

The Forum's discussions highlighted the urgent need for innovative funding solutions and more inclusive outreach strategies to ensure the continued success of the country’s HIV and AIDS response.

By Andrew Mkonda

Lilongwe, June 30, Mana: Communities in Lilongwe have commended government for its commitment in continuing with the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) which was accelerating economic opportunities for the district’s households.

The Communities expressed the sentiments on Saturday during a monitoring exercise organized by the Council aimed at assessing the implementation of activities in the fourth cycle which started some few weeks ago.

One of the beneficiaries of Chaola Catchment area, Esmey Balatumeyo of Traditional Authority (TA) Kalumba said the programme transformed her from her economic woes.

She said that, “We dig swales in our gardens in order to control running water speed and we plant trees in gullies which control running water and these have assisted us to have bumper yield and at the same time get paid for the work we do.”

Mkuwazi Catchment Area beneficiary, Benedicto Sambo of TA Mazengera said the programme has tremendously transformed their lives as they are no longer struggling to pay school fees for their children as they earn income after working for 24 days.

He said the programme has assisted the beneficiaries to manage to buy fertilizer and other farm inputs through the wages paid.

Lilongwe District Council Project Facilitator, Peter Chiumbuzo expressed satisfaction on how the fourth cycle has stated in all catchments areas across the district.

“We want the structures they are coming up with on the ground to be of higher quality that can last for some years ahead. We don’t want a structure, for example, a swale that can only be used only for one season,” he said.

The Lilongwe programme has about 29,440 beneficiaries in 22 catchment areas.

The Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme is funded by World Bank and is being implemented by National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC)

By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, June 30, Mana: National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) has reiterated the need for district councils to ensure that they finish projects are within agreed timeframe.

Senior Planning Officer for NLGFC, Charity Kaunda was speaking Saturday in Nkhata Bay after NLGFC delegation from NLGFC and Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs had toured some projects supported by World Bank through Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) and District Development Fund (DDF).

The delegation among others toured Chintheche and Mpamba market sheds which are now operational, the Council’s lodge and Chamber which are under rehabilitation.

Kaunda said project are implemented to answer some of the short and long term needs of the people, hence the need for Councils to meet desired projects’ timeframe so that people served on time.

“Our visit aimed at encouraging the Council to fast-track implementation of projects on time not only as a requirement for the Council to access grants from GESD and other funding windows but to ensure that communities start using development facilities on time,” she said.

The Planning Officer applauded Nkhata Bay District Council for well packaged development components of its projects to meet the required services of communities.

"Overall after visiting a number of projects, the Council is doing well in terms of projects as they meet the service delivery requirements of communities," Kaunda added.

Director of Planning and Development (DPD) for Nkhata-Bay District Council, Edgar Chihana said the Council’s interaction within was crucial as it was a platform through which the two parties share knowledge for the Council to improve in projects’ management.

Chairperson for Mpanda Market, Losina Nyirenda, said the sheds contribute to viable market environment.

By Alex Kachingwe

Blantyre, June 30, Mana: Saint John of God Hospital Services urges men in the country to seek counselling services in health facilities whenever they are depressed other than deciding to commit suicide.

Saint John of God Hospital, Clinical Psychologist, Frank Magagula expressed concern over rising cases of suicide among men in the country and told Malawi News Agency (Mana) Saturday that the trend was worrisome as statistics shows a lot of men committing suicide.

He said economic hardships and broken relationships were some of the factors that compel men to commit suicide apart from beliefs and perception that men are strong and don’t cry.

“The perception that men are strong and never cry has a psychological bearing. A lot of men do not share their problems, the way women do, as a result they decide to commit suicide as an answer to their problems,” the Mental Health Specialist added.

Magagula said drugs and substance abuse plus excessive dependence on alcohol put a lot of men at risk of committing suicide, adding that drugs make most of the users lose self-control

He urged men to seek alternative ways of solving problems other than choosing to use drugs as means of taking away stress.

Therapist in Lilongwe, Beatrice Ndawala said June was a month that was put aside to discuss men’s mental health, adding that there were a lot of activities meant to inform the public about factors that lead to suicide and ways and means to manage stress to avoid suicide.

“Men usually feel it is a weakness to disclose challenges they face in life as a result, they commit suicide if they do not see the way out,” she disclosed, observing that most men who opt for drugs and alcohol as the way to forget their challenges are easily driven to commit suicide.

Ndawala said there should be adequate civic education to encourage men to share their worries whether relating to financial hardships or relationships.

“Government and NGOs should join hands to promote counselling and mental awareness centers in all districts so that people should know where to access services pertaining to mental health issues,” she added.

Malawi Police Service last year recorded more than 256 suicide cases, with more men committing suicide than women with suicide cases still rising in 2024.

By Memory Chatonda

Blantyre, June 30, Mana: Public Health Institute of Malawi (PHIM) under Ministry of Health has emphasized that the country should have well trained and adequate front line health workers to effectively respond and scientifically investigate various public and animal health outbreaks to avert future catastrophes.

PHIM Chief Epidemiology Officer, Grace Funsani said so far PHIM through Malawi Front Line Field Epidemiology Training, has trained 266 front line health workers across the country with funding from United States Centre for Disease Control since 2016.

She disclosed this Saturday during the graduation of 18 front line public health and animal health workers in Blantyre.

Funsani said the newly graduated front line workers have undergone three months training, acquiring skills to conduct scientific investigation on public health emergencies such as cholera outbreak, alcohol poisoning in Manase, suspected rabies, Typhoid fever, measles cases in under five children and high prevalence of scabies.

“Our aim is to ensure that all the districts across the country have such front line workers to respond, investigate and make recommendation to their studies for the country to ably prevent or manage any outbreak in case of its reoccurrence," she added.

Chief Preventive Health Officer for Blantyre District Council, Innocent Mvula said was optimistic that the front line workers such as Disease Surveillance Officers, Veterinary Officers and others who have undergone the training, will use the skills gained to respond to public health emergencies in a well-coordinated manner.

Coordinator for Integrated Disease Surveillance Response for Mulanje District Health Office, Masilina Msamanyata hailed PHIM for the training.

Msamanyata who was one of the graduates said her study which focused on 'Analysis of Surveillance Data of Cholera Outbreak at Mulanje District Hospital, Thuchira and Namphungo Health Centres recommends that the Director of Health and Social Services should lobby for support from partners to enable the health office respond rapidly to any public health emergencies.

PHIM is a government research institute as well as national public health institute under Ministry of Health with the mandate to do health surveillance research and disease prevention.  

By Tione Andsen

Blantyre, June 30, Mana: Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has said the renovation of Blantyre In-land Examination Centre would help to improve the capacity and efficiency in handling imports.

Deputy Commissioner for Customs, Moses Masina said this Friday in Blantyre during Media Tour on projects being implemented by Southern Africa Trade and Connectivity Project (SATCP) under Ministry of Transport and Public Works with funding from World Bank as part of the Nacala Corridor development.

He said the modernization of the Centre would help to reduce number of days in clearing goods unlike what was happening the border posts where there were a lot of congestion.

Masina added that trucks would make minor formalities at the border posts but the actual examinations would be done at the Centre using modern equipment.

He said this was part of MRA reforms that recommended that all containers should directed to come to the Centre for examination by using modern technologies unlike the physical check which were being conducted.

“We are clearing goods coming from Mwanza, Muloza, Mchinji, Nsanje or Songwe border posts. With the SATCP funding will be installing a high tech scanner which will help as to determine the kind of goods which can be off loaded or not without even opening it,” the Deputy Commissioner General explained.

He said the Centre would have face light and a parking base would be constructed to enable the importers place their containers for inspection and examination.

“We need to have proper offices in order to enjoy good working environment. We will be installing CCTV cameras, air cons as part of the supporting the centre will be getting from SATCP,” Masina narrated.

A Blantyre based Truck owner, Jeremiah Amoni said the new arrangements of clearing the goods at the Centre has help to reduce number days spent at the border.

“We were spending a lot of time in clearing our goods at the border. They were doing physical checking of our goods which was time consuming most of the time. This initiative would help us significantly and border hassles will be a thing of the past,” he said.

Twimepoki Mangani

Lilongwe June 29, Mana: The country’s promising swimmer, Tayamika Chang’anamuno has expressed sheer excitement after securing her spot to represent Malawi at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France.

 In an interview with Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Friday, she described the opportunity as a profound honor and a culmination of years of dedication and resilience.

“I am excited to be competing in the Paris Olympics this summer, it’s always been my dream goal since I was a young athlete and over the years, I’ve remained dedicated and resilient and it’s finally paid off,” Chang’anamuno explained.

As the games draw closer, she emphasized her focus on training, anticipating intensified workouts with her dedicated team of coaches.

 “I’m surrounded by the best coaches and team so I’m confident that I’ll be ready to compete at such a high level.”

“During the games, I hope to break my personal best times as well as to break the national record on 50 metres freestyle. My training regimen has intensified to include more endurance and power sets, with speed workouts intensifying as we approach the competition,” she said.

National Swim Coach, Yona Walesi confirmed Chang’anamuno and Filipe Gomez as Malawi’s representatives at the Olympics, expressing confidence in their abilities.

“Our swimmers will participate on solidarity as we did not meet the qualifying time. These two athletes, particularly in the 50-metre freestyle, have demonstrated exceptional skill and commitment.”

“I expect them to deliver good performances by reducing their entry times or achieving the qualifying time. They have trained rigorously for this opportunity, and I believe they will make Malawi proud,” he noted.

Walesi implored all others athletes to do the best they can to make Malawi proud.

While acknowledging potential changes in swimming events at the Olympics, Chang’anamuno and Gomez are expected to compete in the 50 metres freestyle.

Chang’anamuno, 22, is currently training in Budapest, Hungary on a four-year scholarship, while Filipe Gomez, 25 is preparing with his club in Portugal under a scholarship tailored for the Olympics.

The Olympics are scheduled from July 26 to August 1,2024 with swimming events starting on July 27 at the Paris La Defense Arena.

The men’s 50 metres freestyle heat will begin on August 1,2024 followed by the women’s heat on August 3,2024.