By Chisomo Kmabandanga

Nkhata Bay, March 20, Mana: Nkhata Bay chiefs have lauded Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) for enhancing participation in community work through its sub-projects where participants work under community contribution for free.

Speaking on Tuesday during a media tour, Senior Chief Timbiri said the programme has helped change the mindset of community members, as they are now able to participate in various community development projects.

“In our communities, we have a number of problems that need locally generated solutions. It has become hard for us as chiefs to mobilize community members to take part in various community works since we are in a democratic era.

“However, CS-EPWP has made community members able to participate in community work throughout the five days where participants and non-participants of the programme are asked to do community contribution work," Timbiri said.

The chief added: “Community members under Kavuzi catchment have done river bank protection by planting trees along Kavuzi River in my area. There is also a vertiver grass nursery for the community.

“In the second cycle under Mpamba catchment, community members did maintenance of toilets in communities’ public schools, things that were not happening before. This is the same in all other catchments across the district."

Echoing Timbiri’s sentiments, Traditional Authority M’bwana hailed the programme, saying it has led to a number of community roads being rehabilitated in his area under Sasasa catchment in Usisya.

In his remarks, District Commissioner for Nkhata Bay, Rodgers Newa, said he was happy to see that communities are able to embrace all components of the programme, saying this will help in the programme’s sustainability.

One of the community members, Gloria Banda, said she will continue taking part in the programme’s activities and other community work because she now understands that community members have a great role to play in the development of their areas.

CS-EPWP is a government initiative under Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project implemented by National Local Government Finance Committee with financial support from Multi-Donor Trust Fund and World Bank.