By Solister Mogha

Zomba, April 19, Mana: District Commissioner for Zomba, Reinghard Chavula, appealed to Zomba District Council staff to collaborate when implementing projects to ensure multi-sectoral contribution and best results.

Chavula made the call in Liwonde during the People for Rural Irrigation Development (Pride) project annual review meeting this week.

She said projects require multi-sectoral contributions, stressing the need for officers to ensure full involvement of concerned players from other relevant sectors.

“I am aware of a particular council where officers sidelined each other when implementing projects, even if the guidelines spell out openly the need for such sectors. This is bad because it hinders progress and defeats the purpose of the project,” Chavula said.

She stressed that all government projects, as well as those supported by donors and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOS), aim at uplifting the well-being of Malawians.

The District Commissioner said there should never be a point when an officer should prevent a fellow officer, for unknown reasons, from contributing to the project’s best outcomes.

Chavula also reminded sector heads to implement projects about the master plans.

“There has to be synergies in the way we implement projects. Let us not depart from our master plan,” she added.

The District Commissioner, therefore, hailed Pride project for its huge contribution to Zomba's agricultural sector.

“You are all aware of Matoponi and Mlowoka irrigation schemes, and these are huge investments in the agriculture sector. We expect our people to be food secure soon,” she said.

Davie Sato, Zomba District council’s Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Davie Sato concurred with Chavula, saying most of the projects required combined efforts in implementation to ensure  best results.

“The District Commissioner is right. Sectors need to collaborate if we are to make tangible progress,” he added.

Pride Project, Desk Officer and Irrigation Officer, Ellason Musaiwa said the annual review meeting was crucial as it provided opportunity to track progress, challenges and plan for the year ahead.

“A lot has been done, and we needed to share best practices and plans on how best we can serve the people of Zomba, particularly those at Matoponi and Mlowoka irrigation schemes,” added Masaiwa.

Zomba District has been implementing the Pride project for six years, with some notable achievements, such as the construction of two solar-powered irrigation schemes at Chingale in the district

In most of the tours to the Matoponi and Mlowoka schemes, agricultural experts say, the schemes have the potential to turn Zomba into a food basket if fully utilized.