By Wongani Mkandawire & Damiano Thengo

Nkhotakota, October 22, Mana: Chairperson for Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC), Mark Botoman has asked Nkhotakota District Council officials to seek financial assistance from big companies that are present in the district for them to fulfil some of its public reform aspirations.

Botoman said this at an engagement meeting aimed at appreciating various matters at the council regarding public reforms that the council is undertaking.

He expressed satisfaction with the council's public aspirations saying they are in line with Malawi's 2063 vision agenda.

Botoman asked the district council to utilize the opportunity of having big companies like Illovo Sugar, Ethanol, and African Parks among others in the district by teaming up with them to contribute funds intended to fulfil the council's public aspirations.

"We are very satisfied with the council's vision, and we have been briefed on many things including the establishment of mega-farms, and tourism parks among others, however, we can say there is a gap since the council is not utilizing the companies that are here in Nkhotakota making a lot of money through tourism attraction and sugar,” said Botoman.

Nkhotakota District Commissioner, Ben Matengeni Tohno commended PAC for visiting the council expressing hope that the committee will sell Nkhotakota district public reforms to other partners and relevant government boards to financially support the council in implementing its reforms.

Tohno hailed the Committee Chairperson for encouraging the council to engage with big companies available in the district saying the district will call an engagement meeting with those companies to discuss the matter.

“This is very crucial, and we should be able to organize a stakeholders meeting where we are going to engage our partners such as Illovo, Ethanol, African Parks, and other organizations in the district,” said Tohno.

Nkhotakota district Flagship projects include the establishment of mega-farms, a tourism park, fish farming, and industrial park development focusing on sugar, fertilizer, and textile production.