By Solister Mogha

Zomba, November 5, Mana:  Zomba district council says it is ready to roll-out Epayment system for the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSE-PWP) during the next cycle.

Chimwemwe Chimbaza, Desk Officer for CSE-PWP) in Zomba said in an interview on Tuesday the new system would among others reduce risks and improve on efficiency.

Chimbaza said since the inception of the programme, wages were paid in a cash form, which was a high risk.

"Apart from reducing risk and improve on efficiency, the E-payment system would also minimize delays in the payment process," she said.

Zomba District Council is one of the districts in Malawi implementing Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme with 19,632 households participating.

A total of K 942,336, 000 will paid to families that participated in the programme.

Meanwhile, the district is set to start payment of wages for the last cycle next week.

By Chisomo Kambandanga          

Nkhata Bay, November 5, Mana: District Commissioner for Nkhata Bay, Rodgers Newa has urged   voter registration supervisors in the district to execute their work within legal framework to ensure integrity and credibility of the electoral process.

Newa was speaking Tuesday at Nkhata Bay Boma during monitoring of voter registration supervisors’ training in readiness for Malawi Electoral Commission's (MEC's)second phase voter registration exercise which is scheduled to commence on November 9th, 2024.

" Let me commend you for taking up this noble course of serving your country. As you go out to various centres after this training, please discharge your duties within the law because your work is supported by legal framework to ensure that the interests of every Malawian of having free and fair elections are met at the end of the day,” Newa said.

Newa also emphasized the need for the supervisors to be impartial and represent the interest of all political parties while observing all necessary procedures as stipulated by MEC.

One of the trainee supervisors, Andrew Sidila said he that is set for the task ahead adding that the training has equipped the trainees with the necessary skills for their better performance throughout the exercise. We are ready to serve the public with excellence,” said Sidila.

Meanwhile, MEC has intensified interface meetings with traditional and faith leaders across the district informing them about the registration process and mobilize their people to register for the September 16, 2025 General Election.

By Nephtali Kalumbi

Mangochi, November 5, Mana: Islamic Relief, a faith humanitarian and development organization has pumped in 4 million pounds, which is approximately K8.9 billion for the implementation of two projects to support various health facilities, communities and schools with infrastructure development, water supply as well as electricity.

The projects will be implemented in three traditional authorities namely; Nankumba, Katuli and Mponda for one year, with financial support from the Islamic Relief- UK

Speaking during presentation of the projects to the District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting over the week end, District Coordinator for Islamic Relief, Imran Kamwana said that the project was meant to complement government effort of improving wellbeing of the population in the targeted communities. 

‘‘Through our first project, which is called Reinforcing Communities Access to Basic Services, we will upgrade  two  health centers of Kanyenga and Maleta, drill three boreholes and three water stand points, as well as constructing four standard classroom blocks at Chitete and Mkombe primary schools.

‘‘In the second project, we would like to improve learning environment at Senenje Primary  School at  Traditional Authority Mponda, where we want to construct two  school blocks on top of providing basic learning materials to 600 learners,’’ Kamwana added.

He said the project was meant to improve healthcare services, increased access to clean water, apart complimenting communities’ initiatives in providing quality education in the targeted communities.

In his remarks, member for Mangochi DEC, who is also Principle for Mangochi Technical College, Mbasa Mwawembe applauded Islamic Relief for introducing the project in the district, anticipating that the project will compliment Mangochi District Council’s commitment in providing quality basic services to the rural population.

By Emily M'mangisa

Zomba, November, 5 Mana: Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) has called upon traditional and community influential leaders to mobilize subjects to register during second phase of voter registration in Zomba in readiness for the September 16, 2025 General Election.

Commissioner, Francis Kasaila made the call at Senior Chief Chikowi headquarters on Tuesday during an interface meeting the leaders to discuss on the second voter registration exercise scheduled for this week.

“I have observed that most people queue for registration on the last days of the exercise. Let me appeal to you leaders to encourage your people to register. The danger about one not registering is that they won't be eligible to cast their vote,” he added.

During the meeting, the commissioner took the participants that included religious leaders through the process of voter registration to make them conversant with the process.

He assured the leaders that voter registration will consider every eligible voter disregarding any type of disability or levels of literacy.

“We have entrusted the supervisors to handle unique scenarios. People with no hands, those that do not know how to read and write, will be assisted accordingly,” Kasaila said.

Senior Chief Chikowi hailed MEC for organizing the interface meeting and for clarifying on a number of issues making rounds.

The Chief assured the commission that the messages will be disseminated to subject and she assured MEC that there will be a good turn up of people during the voter registration period.

Phase of one of the voter registration ended on November 3 and the second phase begins on November  9 up to  November 22  

By Agatha Kadzinje

Blantyre, November 5, Mana: Blantyre City Council (BCC) is currently constructing a minibus terminal at Mibawa as part of a broader urban development plan to provide convenient public transportation.

Director of Engineering Services at BCC, Chimwemwe Mndelemani told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Tuesday that the council is utilizing the Infrastructure Development Fund to rehabilitate the Mibawa minibus depot, aiming at improving its ambience and reduce inconveniences for minibuses during the rainy season or any other season.

"The major hindrance before was that many minibuses were avoiding the depot due to its poor condition. Now, we are making it more conducive for minibuses to operate from," Mndelemani said.

He added that there are multiple reasons why the council decided to undertake this construction, primarily to benefit Blantyre City residents.

"The purpose of constructing the depot is to assist residents in easily accessing transportation. Additionally, there were issues with traffic management, as minibuses were parking randomly around the city. We believe this will bring order and sanity to the city," he said.

Mndelemani added that the council is liaising with its development partners to install better shelters and solar street lights to enhance security and vibrancy at the terminal after the construction is completed.

He disclosed that BCC is conducting extensive stakeholder engagement with users, the public and the Malawi Police Service to foster a sense of ownership among residents in a bid to encourage them to take care of the facility for its longevity.

"This sense of ownership will help uplift city facilities and in turn, support business growth and attract both foreign and direct investors," he said.

He also disclosed that the entire project will cost BCC K108 million, funding from the Malawi Government through the Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF).

Mndelemani, therefore, assured the public that the construction works which commenced in August 2024 will be completed and officially opened by the end of November this year.

In a separate interview, the Chairperson of Mibawa Bus Depot, Ackim Yuda commended the council for the long-awaited construction of the minibus terminal.

"We are happy that the council is constructing the depot here at Mibawa. This will help us manage the movements of minibuses that often plies business within and outside the city," Yuda said.

He added that the depot would accommodate many minibuses and vehicles currently parked along city streets.

Yuda assured his committee is ready to work with the council to ensure the depot’s goals are achieved. However, he appealed to the council to consider erecting additional toilet blocks at Mibawa to address issues of sanitation and hygiene.

By George Mponda

Karonga November 5, Mana: The Malawi Peace and Unity Commission believes women and youths are powerful change agents who can contribute to maintaining peace in the country.

Commissioner for the entity, Professor Francis Mkandawire said this Monday in Karonga during a sensitization meeting for the reconstitution of the Karonga District Peace and Unity Committee (DPCU).

Mkandawire observed that although Malawi has enjoyed peace through the years, there are some pockets of violence, which if left unchecked might escalate into bigger conflicts.

"Women are mostly victims during conflicts while youths are mostly used in violent acts. Therefore, women and youths should be used to create an inclusive approach in peacebuilding since they have the energy and idealism which is essential for sustainable peace," said Mkandawire.

He further said as the country is preparing for next year’s general election, there are a number of issues, which need to addressed especially political violence and DPUC's should be instrumental in maintaining peace.

Acting District Commissioner for Karonga Frank Mkandawire expressed optimism that there will peaceful coexistence among political parties on the road to next year’s general election.

"Karonga used to be a conflict hotspot but as of late, the situation has changed drastically in part due to the existence of the DPUC which is working tirelessly in all six Traditional Authorities in the district," said Mkandawire.

On his part, Desk Officer for the Catholic Commission of Justice and Peace in Karonga, Cuthbert Mkandawire observed that solving the economic challenges being faced by youths is a sure way of ensuring they are not involved in acts of violence.

According to the Peace and Unity Act of 2022, DPUCs will be established in all District Councils as pillars for promotion of unity and peacebuilding in their areas of jurisdiction and Karonga was one of the districts where it has been piloted since it was identified as a conflict hotspot.

The Act stipulates that the DPCU is supposed to have a balanced representation of men and women with an equal number of each.