MANAonline
New contractor handed over Neno-Tsangano road
By Salome Gangire
Neno, April 17, Mana: Roads Authority (RA) Tuesday handed over a new contractor China Railway (CR) No 20 to complete the construction of the 20 km Neno-Tsangano Road Phase II.
The Roads Authority in October 2023 terminated the contract of China-Geo Company which was constructing the road due to the contractor failure to meet a number contractual issues and did not do any work.
According to RA Engineer Ntchindi Mkandawire, the new contractor was expected to start work from Ligowe where previous contractor, Fargo left to Base in the district.
“The cost of the road is pegged at K35 billion and will be done in 18 months,” he said.
CR-20 Liason Officer, Lasten Kasanga said his company was ready to do the work and would deliver quality work to the best of their ability according to the timeline.
“We have already looked at the issue of subcontracting and everything has planned on well," he said.
Kasanga said the company has already chosen three sub-contractors and they would select one from the list to work with them.
District Commissioner (DC) for Neno, Rosemary Nawasha expressed optimisms that since RA has handed over a contractor, work would start soon.
She asked the contractor to hire unskilled labour from the district.
A representative of the Civil Society in Neno, Oscar Nkhoma asked the contractor to deliver quality work as the people of Neno have waited the road for a long time.
DIOs urged to promote public information
By Sylvester Kumwenda
Dowa, April 16, Mana: Acting Director of Ministry of Information and Digitalization, Arthur Chipenda has called upon District Information Officers (DIOs) to equip themselves with skills which would enable two-way communication between government and the people to foster people’s participation in governments development agenda.
He made the remarks during the opening of a three-day training workshop at Mponela organized by the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) and the Ministry of Information and Digitalization aimed at equipping DIOs with skills on reporting for radio.
Chipenda said the training marks government’s commitment to ensuring that communication was placed at the top of the government development agenda through local authorities.
“For most people, the first contact they have with government is through the district councils. And in councils, government is investing finances, implementing projects and activities for the socio-economic transformation of the people. DIOs must therefore ensure visibility of these for people’s participation.
“On the other hand, government needs to be getting feedback from the people. So, we want to strengthen the bridge so that if people have any issues concerning the government’s development initiatives or interventions, DIOs should provide that platform for appropriate government’s interventions,” he said.
Thanking NLGFC for supporting the training, Chipenda urged the DIOs to make sure public information was always available to the public in support of government’s developmental agenda.
Executive director for NLGFC Dr. Kondwani Santhe saId the team has the responsibility of promoting council’s accountability, transparency, and trust and a responsibility in changing wrong narratives which break public trust and confidence.
“Sometimes people will deliberately twist facts. For example, Community Development Fund has only K 5 million for bursaries which in normal circumstances is not enough for each need within the constituency.
“So, when all the money has been channeled towards bursaries, there may emerge narratives suggesting otherwise, thereby creating confusion and mistrust. Therefore, it is your responsibility to change these narratives by providing accurate information on all projects and government initiatives,” he said.
The training is being facilitated by Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC).
Director General for MBC, George Kasakula said this was an exciting development as it would mean more content for the corporation, the masses and help in opening councils.
“We are thinking of having a council bulletin which will be airing issues happening at the councils ranging from budgets, expenditures, programmes, and other social economic issues. So, we are very excited about this development.
“But for this to be possible, you as DIOs need to be active in this initiative. To my colleagues at MBC, let us work with the DIOS in good faith,” he pointed out.
DIO for Zomba, Solister Mogha said the training would help in expanding the reporting skills for the DIOs by equipping them with technical requirements and skills required in reporting for electronic and broadcast media.
He said would benefit both the DIOs and the people they serve.
“The training will expose us to a new dimension of reporting for radio and television as we have mostly been biased towards print.
“This is good for our professional development but also for the benefit of the people because millions of Malawians still depend on radio and television for information,” Mogha added.
Mega Support Unit to support commercial farmers
By Gift Chiponde
Lilongwe, April 17, Mana: Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale has stated that the Ministry, through its Mega Farm Support Unit, would continue to supporting farmers in the country as they work towards achieving the Malawi 2063, through increasing productivity and mechanisation to create jobs and generate forex.
He made the remarks on Tuesday after visited a 200-hectare farm belonging to Lefulosi Chigamula one of the beneficiaries of the Mega Farm Support Unit initiative which aims to support mega farmers in the country.
Kawale explained that the Ministry has been helping 197 commercial farmers across the country with farm inputs such as seeds and fertilizer to ensure maximum productivity and encourage the adoption of mechanisation among mega farmers.
The Minister mentioned that in addition to financial support, the Ministry has connected the farmers with off-takers such as the National Food Reserve Agency (NRFA), Paramount Holdings, and Pyxus Limited Export Trading Group (ETG) and National Smallholders Association of Malawi (NASFAM) has committed to purchasing the farmers' produce.
He disclosed that the government would provide Mega farmers with tractors and combined harvesters and assist subsistence farmers in becoming commercial farmers.
Kawale reassured farmers who would not be included in this year's Affordable Input Programme (AIP) that they would be accommodated in the K 650-billion Agriculture Commercialization (AGCOM) project and the Mega Farm Support Unit and National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) initiatives.
Controller of Agriculture Extension and Technical Services in the Ministry of Agriculture, Dr Alfred Mwenifumbo said through the initiatives the unit has supported 197 maize farmers with a total of 10,000 hectares and they are expecting to harvest 35,000 metric tonnes.
A beneficiary, Lefunosi Chigamula commended the Ministry of Agriculture for the support towards mega farmers and he has urged farmers to take the initiatives seriously if they are to benefit.
He revealed that despite facing numerous challenges due erratic rain he would manage to harvest bumper yield this year.
Chitedze Research for climate change resilient groundnut varieties
By Paul Madise
Lilongwe, April 17, Mana: Director of Research Services in Ministry of Agriculture at Chitedze Agriculture Research Station, Dr Grace Kaudzu has said they are working collaboratively with other stakeholders to come up with new hybrid groundnut varieties to ensure groundnut industry in sustained.
She made the sentiments on Tuesday during the "Groundnut Tour in Malawi" a tour which is being conducted to showcase groundnut potential industry, Malawi has as a consistent and reliable high-quality groundnut for both national, regional and international markets.
Kaudzu has said the research would benefit mega and small scales groundnut farmers across country through climate change resilient varieties being produced through the research.
The Director has emphasized on the need for more interventions for Chitedze Research Station to generate more climate resilient groundnuts varieties and more hybrid groundnut seed multiplication.
Pyxus Agriculture, Feed the Future Peanut Innovation Lab and Feed the Future Malawi Growth poles project as implementers of the tour is this set to achieve this year's one million metric tonnes of groundnut in its 2030 annual strategic plan putting Malawi on a pivotal role in meeting groundnut global market demand.
During the tour, lead farmers from Horizon Farm, Chikondi Joseph and Franks Jictor said the coming of news groundnuts varieties has necessitated high production levels on their farms, they have also called Malawians to embrace groundnut farming for commercial to compliment tobacco.
The groundnut tour has attracted over 150 investors, researchers, farmers and policy makers from 10 across the world wide.
Government urges the youth to prioritize innovation
By Sellah Chunda
Lilongwe, April 17, Mana: Minister of Youth and Sports, Uchizi Mkandaire has urged youth to prioritize innovation through the use of technology if they are to help in transforming the country.
Speaking during the launch of the Smart Africa Youth Chapter of Malawi which was held on Tuesday at Bingu International Convention Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, he said that as a country, they need to ensure that it was on par with other African countries in terms of innovations.
“We are living in a global village where a lot is happening across the globe, and top on the agenda is digitalization, there are many challenges we face as a country, such as access to electricity and the internet.
"We must ensure that as a country, we progress in digitalization to be on par with other countries, it is crucial to work on these issues so that every Malawian has access to the internet and can transact digitally,” Mkandawire said.
He added as the Ministry they have made it a policy to involve young people in science, technology and innovation.
"In our youth programmes, we prioritize these pillars to ensure that all participants have access to technology and can be innovative," the Minister said.
Smart Africa Director General, Lacina Kone hailed the country for launching Smart Africa Youth Chapter of Malawi.
“Our aim is to transform Africa into a digitally united continent. In doing so, we will significantly contribute to training youths in various technologies and enhancing their capabilities in the digital world, this youth chapter in Malawi will benefit anyone, regardless of their level of education,” he explained.
One of the youth, Wezzie Salima expressed appreciation for Smart Africa support saying it would help youth in the country to acquire knowledge in ICT and utilize it effectively in addressing digital gaps among youth across the country.
We Effect for sustainable farming practices
By Robert Katuli
Dedza, April 16, Mana: Secretary General for We Effect, a Swedish international development organisation, has said the organisation envisions a strong, independent smallholder farmers’ community in Malawi capable of feeding the whole nation.
Anna Tibblin said this on Monday in Dedza where she and other We Effect delegates toured various interventions the organisation is funding through Malawi Union of Savings and Credit Cooperatives (MUSCCO).
Tibblin said despite the various poverty challenges people in the country are facing, it is encouraging to note that the people are still well organized and are working very hard to improve their situation.
“We want to support such local organisations so that they are strong enough to manage their business without external support. In the long term, we want to leave the stage as We Effect.
“Our aim is not to hang around as the Swedish development organisation, but to support the local organisations so that they can do it themselves with the support of their own members,” said she.
MUSCCO Chief Executive Officer Fumbani Nyangulu said MUSCCO has put in place interventions that are helping smallholder farmers, mostly women, to take part in economic development activities that will improve their livelihoods.
“Our main focus is to empower these people through VSLAs (Village Savings and Loans Associations) where they save and borrow money. At the same time, we also link them to formal financial institutions,” Nyangulu said.
In addition to the VSLAs initiative, MUSCCO is also championing environmental conservation projects that focus on climate change issues, as well as encouraging smallholder farmers to use organic manures in their fields, among other interventions.
Towera Lukiasi, one of the smallholder farmers from Senior Chief Kaphuka’s Chimasula Village, said that through these interventions, the community members are now producing, on their own, organic Mbeya Fertilizer.
“This fertilizer is cost-effective. Previously, the kind of fertilizer we were buying from shops wasn't adequate, as we didn't have enough money to buy that fertilizer enough for our fields.
“With Mbeya Fertilizer, however, we are now able to cultivate large area of land and produce great yields, something we couldn't have done with the inorganic fertilizers we were using before,” Lukiasi explained.
Chairperson for Chimasula Village Development Committee, Stephano McDonald, concurred with Lukiasi, saying the interventions MUSCCO is implementing in the area are benefitting a lot.
“MUSCCO has empowered women here to have land for farming and have access to clean water; farmers now get expert advice on climate change and managing finances; and local libraries have been created for local people to get information on farming, nutrition and other topics,” McDonald lauded the We Effect funded interventions.
Training programme to enhance palliative care services
By Golden Kang'oma
Salima, April 16, Mana: A Local Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) ‘Ndi Moyo’ Palliative Care, has initiated a five-week training programme for health workers in a bid to bridge the gap in palliative care services,
The course, which has brought together 22 participants, aims to empower health workers with essential skills and knowledge in palliative care.
Speaking during the launch ceremony, Founder of Ndi Moyo Palliative Care, Lucy Kishindo Finch emphasized the significance of the training.
She said that, "We are training these health workers to be reliable providers of palliative care."
Finch highlighted that 40 percent of the population lack access to such care, citing a critical need for trained professionals.
She expressed concern over underutilization of trained initiators, and lamented that authorities often assign them tasks unrelated to their training, a move that widen the gap in care provision.
"Most health facilities lack palliative care providers, so such training initiatives will help most health centres to at least have a palliative care provider," the Founder said.
Finch urged support from stakeholders to sustain their operations as financial hiccups are affecting the organization’s daily operations.
Director of Human Resource and Administration at Salima District Council, Grace Kantande hailed the importance of the training, citing overwhelming cases requiring palliative care.
She emphasized the need to train more health workers to provide hope to patients and alleviate suffering.
Kantande assured that the District Council would provide comprehensive support to the initiators to address challenges in making palliative care accessible to all residents.
"We have had challenges in resources, mostly in human resource, so this training will give us a platform to curb some of the challenges," she said.
Director of Health and Social Services at Salima District Council, Dr. Eugine Katenga Kaunda emphasized the significance of the training in aiding patients with chronic illnesses and pledged full support to the trained health workers to ensure effective care delivery.
Palliative care is provided to the terminally ill and their families, especially that provided by an organized health service.
The initiative reflects a collaborative effort to enhance palliative care services, promising relief to patients in need.
127 household affected by floods in Nkhata Bay
By Margret Praise Kalua
Nkhata Bay, April 16, Mana: 127 households in the area of Senior Chief Malanda and Traditional Authority (TA) Fukamalaza in Nkhata Bay have been affected by floods following heavy rains that fell in the district from the 11th to 12 April, 2024.
Disaster Risk Management Officer for Nkhata Bay, Rachel Kamanga confirmed the development on Monday during District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting in the district, saying some houses have completely collapsed.
Kamanga said according to the assessment they have conducted, 118 households from Group Village Headman (GVH) Msundu, Ngombo and Chenyentha in Senior Chief Malanda as well as nine households from GHV Thulu and Chigulugulu in TA Fukamalaza have been affected but officials are still working on the ground to establish the exact extent of damage.
"A number of houses have been affected in Senior Chief Malanda and TA Fukamalaza especially in GVH Ngombo where we have reports that some families have been displaced and are sheltering at a school at the moment.
"We still don't have the exact number of displaced persons but we are still trying to get in touch with the community members, leaders and disaster management structures on the ground to know the exact figures," she said.
Kamanga has since appealed for assistance from well-wishers and non-governmental organisations across the country to support with basic needs such as materials for reconstructing houses and food to the affected families.
According to Meteorological Officer for Nkhata Bay, Amos Chimbwiri, there is a possibility that the district will continue receiving heavy rains in the next four days as per the weekly weather report by the department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services.
Chimbwiri has advised people in Nkhata Bay to avoid crossing flooded rivers and to consider relocating from flood prone areas to prevent more damage to life and property.
Two Chinese nationals arrested for assault
By Leah Malimbasa
Chikwawa, April 16, Mana: Police in Chikwawa have arrested two Chinese nationals, Allen Cheng, 37 and Peng Yongqia, 35 for allegedly assaulting their employee on suspicion of stealing fuel.
According to Deputy Public Relations Officer for the district, Constable Chancy Mfune, the victim has been identified as Silaj Maluwa, 37 who is a resident of Sadulo Village under Traditional Authority (TA) Katunga in Chikwawa and works as a machine operator at Sinohydro Construction Company.
“On April 14, 2024, Maluwa was at a canal construction site, part of the Shire Valley Transformation project, where he was accused of fuel theft from the machine he operated, leading to the alleged assault,” he said.
Maluwa was discovered unconscious by colleagues along the earth road connecting to the camp where he works.
“He was subsequently taken to Chikwawa District Hospital for treatment and is currently hospitalized with a left arm fracture, as reported by health practitioners,” Mfune stated, adding that Chikwawa Police’s Criminal Investigation Department conducted preliminary investigations, resulting in the arrest of the two suspects.
“The suspects remain in Police custody and will face charges of Acts Intended to Cause Grievous Harm in court soon,” he said.
Aerobics as an agent of unity to citizens
By Lekereni Chinkhota
Salima, April 16, Mana:
Salima District Council has reaffirmed its commitment to continue organizing aerobics as a preventive measure of non-communicable diseases, as part of spearheading healthy living and ensuring that residents are active and productive,
Speaking on Monday on behalf of Salima District Commissioner, Light Burton, on the sidelines of the aerobics session, underscored the importance of being active through exercising and expressed that as one way of contributing to the drive Salima District Council would be facilitating and mobilizing citizens to take part in the sessions.
He said that, “We are happy because the citizens are willing to participate in these activities. We can see that various stakeholders of the district came to participate with us today which shows how committed they are.”
Burton said with the rise in numbers of non-communicable diseases it was important to stay active, hence a continuation of these aerobics would contribute towards the wellbeing of citizens.
He added that since the inception of the aerobics the numbers of people participating continue rising which was encouraging and revealed that they are anticipating to be conducting the activity every fortnight in order to gain maximum benefits from the exercises.
A businessman and a participant in the aerobics, Ronald Tiyesepo, said the aerobics are a good idea because there is no cost attached to the activity taking into consideration that gym fee was expensive therefore to have such an activity at no cost is highly commendable.
He said the skyrocketing cases of non-communicable diseases was a cause for concern therefore being active would assist in preventing the diseases.
“Through these activities, we are able to socialize and get acquainted with one another, this will also assist to have a productive community, the spirit being instilled in us is that we have to be active and exercising frequently," Tiyesepo said.
He said during the sessions there is also sharing of ideas among various stakeholders which would contribute to the development of the district.
“Development needs health people and our businesses can thrive if we are fit. Let us use this opportunity to share our talents and business ideas,” Tiyesepo said.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) for Salima Police, Rebecca Ndiwate, one of the organizers expressed enthusiasm with the turn up of the people who attended the sessions.
She said that, "It is encouraging to see people from different backgrounds patronizing these sessions, it will further be encouraging if we continue seeing a huge crowd coming to participate in these events, because the goal is to have as many people as possible during these sessions."
Ndiwate revealed that they have further planned to be conducting town marches, clean up exercises, volleyball, football and netball matches.
The event was graced by Member of Parliament for Salima Central Constituency, Gerald Kapiseni Phiri and District Commissioner, James Mwenda among other dignitaries.
Participants were trained by officers from Parachute Battalion.
