By Andrew Mkonda

Lilongwe, June 30, Mana: Communities in Lilongwe have commended government for its commitment in continuing with the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) which was accelerating economic opportunities for the district’s households.

The Communities expressed the sentiments on Saturday during a monitoring exercise organized by the Council aimed at assessing the implementation of activities in the fourth cycle which started some few weeks ago.

One of the beneficiaries of Chaola Catchment area, Esmey Balatumeyo of Traditional Authority (TA) Kalumba said the programme transformed her from her economic woes.

She said that, “We dig swales in our gardens in order to control running water speed and we plant trees in gullies which control running water and these have assisted us to have bumper yield and at the same time get paid for the work we do.”

Mkuwazi Catchment Area beneficiary, Benedicto Sambo of TA Mazengera said the programme has tremendously transformed their lives as they are no longer struggling to pay school fees for their children as they earn income after working for 24 days.

He said the programme has assisted the beneficiaries to manage to buy fertilizer and other farm inputs through the wages paid.

Lilongwe District Council Project Facilitator, Peter Chiumbuzo expressed satisfaction on how the fourth cycle has stated in all catchments areas across the district.

“We want the structures they are coming up with on the ground to be of higher quality that can last for some years ahead. We don’t want a structure, for example, a swale that can only be used only for one season,” he said.

The Lilongwe programme has about 29,440 beneficiaries in 22 catchment areas.

The Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme is funded by World Bank and is being implemented by National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC)