By Dalitso Kampira

Thyolo, February 8, Mana: Cluster Coordinating Office in the Southern Region took a monitoring tour of activities under Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) at Traditional Authority Changata in Thyolo to guide the programme’s participating communities on how best they should implement the social protection intervention.

 In the week, CS-EPWP, Southern Region, Cluster Coordinator, Henry Hunga, was at Chidzimbi and Nkoma catchments where he said there was need to monitor the activities to ensure high-quality work implemented by programme participants.

He noted that regular supervision helps to guide beneficiaries, Catchment committee and extension workers in their daily activities, ensuring that activities are implemented effectively and according to social protection guidelines.

“Supervision is key to achieving quality work. It also allows us to provide guidance, address challenges, and ensure that activities are being carried out correctly,” he added.

Hunga said monitoring projects during the rainy season aligns well with forestry season thereby offering participating communities chance to acquire better knowledge on environmental conservation.

 “The participating communities plant trees along riverbanks to protect water sources threatened by soil erosion. It is therefore crucial to assess progress and provide technical support where needed,” he said.

He urged the Thyolo District Council to continue regular supervision, emphasising that knowledge and best practices evolve over time.

CS-EPWP District Desk Officer in Thyolo, Francis Yohane, expressed satisfaction with the participants’ efforts in tree planting, describing it as a significant step toward land restoration.

“We are impressed by the collaborative efforts in restoring degraded land. The quality of work being done is commendable,” he said.

One of the beneficiaries, Chifuniro Manuelo from Chidzimbi catchment, said the CS-EPWP had been life-changing and that supervision plays a crucial role in ensuring sustainability.

 “Through the programme, we had gained valuable knowledge on conserving the environment, including protecting river banks. This will ensure that the project benefits future generations,” she said.

A foreman from Chidzimbi Catchment, Lucius Million, expressed optimism that planting trees along riverbanks will help prevent further land degradation along the river banks.

Nkoma Catchment Committee, Chairperson, Kingston Makuka, said CS-EPWP has positive impact, adding it improved soil fertility thereby revitalising banana cultivation in the area.

He therefore called on the CS-EPWP regional coordinating office and Thyolo District Council officials   to continue providing guidance in the programme implementation activities.

Chidzimbi and Nkoma Catchment Areas fall under Masambanjati Extension Planning Area (EPA) and have 1,298 and 500 participants respectively.

By Paul Madise

Lilongwe, February 7, Mana: Police at Chitipi in Lilongwe have arrested six people allegedly for vandalizing irrigation system and stealing of K70 million worth of installed equipment at a certain private farm in the district.

The suspects have been identified as George Watson, 25, Dikilani Chokazinga, 29, Richard Lyton, 40, Positani Gediyasi, 32, Samuel Banda, 27, and Chibvumbulutso Banda, 30.

According to the police report, the suspects stole two giant diesel generators, three phase water pumps, six solar panels, a water tank, and three phase electricity cables, among many more items.

Owner of the farm, which is located in Njewa, told police that the vandalism and theft of the materials have occurred between the months of August 2024 and January this year.

The suspects remained unknown during the commission of the offences, until detectives instituted investigations which unmasked their identities.

Following their arrest, the suspects led police to various places where they sold the stolen materials which has led to the recovery of a 260-watt solar panel, irrigation pipes, and metal door, among others.

“Efforts are still underway to recover more property because they are still leading us to various places where they sold the stolen properties,” said Hastings Chigalu, who is Lilongwe Police spokesperson

He added that the six are expected to appear in court next week to answer vandalism and theft charges.

By Blackson Mkupatira

Chiradzulu, February 7, Mana: Chiradzulu District Council on Friday approved a K9.89 billion budget for the 2025/26 financial year, marking a 101 percent increase from the 2024/25 annual allocation.

Presenting the budget during a full council meeting, Chairperson for the Finance and Audit Committee, Charles Chigwenembe, disclosed that K3.39 billion will come from central government transfers, K186.3 million from locally generated revenue, while donor contributions will account for K6.44 billion.

Chigwenembe attributed the significant budget increase to the expansion of climate-smart enhanced public works project, the introduction of a resilience climate recovery programme and a general rise in central government transfers and local revenue projections.

He outlined key donor contributions, including K778.7 million from the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD), K4.49 billion from the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP), K497.5 million from the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) and K634.7 million from the Resilience Climate Recovery Programme (RCRP).

“Some of the major development projects in the budget include the phase one construction of a business complex at Chiradzulu Boma at K100 million, the rehabilitation of four health centres at K495 million.

“Drilling of 10 boreholes in five traditional authorities at K60 million and the construction of teacher’s houses, bridges and classroom blocks at K1 billion,” said Chigwenembe, adding that GESD funds would be used to complete stalled projects from previous years.

Member of Parliament for Chiradzulu East, Joseph Nomale, raised concerns over the council’s heavy reliance on donor funding and warned that shifting donor policies could pose risks to the district’s development plans.

“We have a K9.8 billion budget, yet the council is contributing only K186 million while nearly K6 billion is dependent on donor support.

“With some countries, like the United States, suspending their aid, this heavy reliance on external funding poses a significant risk to our financial stability,” he said.

Nomale, therefore, stressed the importance of expanding local revenue sources to ensure financial stability, especially in light of global funding uncertainties and delayed funding from central government.

On his part, Sub-Traditional Authority Maone urged the council to empower local businesses to generate higher revenues, which in turn, would boost the council’s income.

In an interview following the budget approval, Chiradzulu District Council Chairperson Patrick Chintengo expressed optimism, noting that the budget would benefit vulnerable communities through programmes like SCTP, CS-EPWP and GESD.

The 2025/26 budget will be implemented over a period of 12 months from April 2025 to March 2026. Key sectoral allocations include K1.2 billion to health, K420.9 million to education and K84.1 million to agriculture.

By Memory Chatonda

Blantyre, February 7, Mana: Blantyre District Commissioner Alex Mdooko has advised non-governmental organizations (NGOs) implementing projects in the district to align their interventions towards the fulfillment of the Malawi 2063 Agenda.

He was speaking on Thursday in Blantyre when the Malawi Red Cross Society, Ntchito Mbambande by CARE, Umunthu Foundation and Nyale Institute signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the council during the District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting.

Mdooko said the development would ensure that the country becomes an inclusive, wealthy and self-reliant nation by 2063.

“NGOs and civil society organisations (CSOs) should ensure that their programmes contribute to the pillars and enablers of the Malawi 2063. Focus on economic transformation, sustainability and inclusivity,” he said.

Mdooko, therefore, called on the organizations to collaborate strongly with the government and communities to ensure long-term success and contribution to the Malawi 2063 Vision of becoming a wealthy and self-reliant nation.

Speaking earlier, Director of Planning and Development for Blantyre District Council, Melayi Mhone described the ceremony as crucial in ensuring that the council knows what is being implemented by organizations in the district to benefit the rural masses and also to be able to make follow-ups on the activities.

“This is a requirement by the Ministry of Local Government that the councils should be signing MoUs with their partners because it helps the council to hold the partners accountable if they fail to implement what is constituted in their project concept note.

“Blantyre has over 50 NGOs and, so far, we have signed MoUs with 40 NGOs,” she said.

Speaking on behalf of the organizations that signed MoUs, MRCS Blantyre District Coordinator, Innocent Chikuni said the exercise gives players a way to track progress and impact as the organizations provide their services to the people.

“Moreover, it fosters transparency and accountability during project implementation,” Chikuni said.

Meanwhile, the DEC has approved two projects – Chonde Fertiliser by Rutrand Farmers and Adolescent Girls and Young Women for Prevention of Alcohol, Drugs and Substance by Norwegian Church Aid – to be implemented in Blantyre.

By Charlie Ligomeka

Machinga, February 7, Mana: Climate Smart-Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) has brought a glimmer of hope to over 23,400 households in Machinga by providing them with a critical financial lifeline to overcome hunger and poverty during the lean season.

According to a participant from Chiudya Village in Traditional Authority Kawinga, Abdul Khalimu Maulidi, the cash payment has been a huge relief.

Maulidi, a father of four, claimed that he had been struggling to make ends meet, but that with the cash payment, he can now afford to buy food and other basic household items.

“I was worried about how I would feed my family, but now I can sleep with a clear conscience. I can also invest in my children’s education which is crucial for their future.

“I can now provide for my family and send my children to school. My crops failed due to the dry spell, but thanks to CS-EPWP, I have a new lease of life,” Maulidi said.

Another participant, Violet Kachepa from Kawinga echoed Maulidi’s sentiments, saying the wages from CS-EPWP have changed her household’s fortunes.

“I can now buy food, pay school fees and invest in my children’s education. This programme has really helped us. We were struggling to make ends meet, but now we have a sense of security,” Kachepa said.

On the other hand, Haji Maonda, a father of six from Chikaonda Village, said he is investing whatever he earns from the programme in his children’s education since that was not the case before he was involved with the programme.

Maonda, however, believes that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty.

“With the money I have received, I will clear school fees balance and buy some few educational materials for my daughters. Education is the key to unlocking my children’s future and CS-EPWP has given me the opportunity to make that happen.

“In fact, I want my children to have a better life than I have and education is the only way to achieve that. CS-EPWP has given me the opportunity to invest in my children’s future,” he said.

CS-EPWP Machinga Project Coordinator Kingsley Pendame emphasised that the programme focuses on environmental sustainability and poverty reduction.

“CS-EPWP has provided a safety net to vulnerable households by enabling them to cope with climate-related shocks and build resilience. We’re also promoting climate-smart practices which will ultimately restore good rainfall patterns in Machinga and Malawi,” Pendame said.

Pendame added that the programme has also helped to reduce poverty and hunger in the district.

“Many households in Machinga rely on rain-fed agriculture which makes them vulnerable to climate-related shocks. CS-EPWP has provided a critical financial lifeline to these households thereby enabling them to overcome hunger and poverty,” he said.

The CS-EPWP payments are being rolled out across Machinga District, covering areas such as Upper and Lower Mikoko, Upper and Lower Likwenu and Nyenyezi catchment, among other areas.

The CS-EPW programme with financial support from the World Bank, aims at promoting climate-resilient agriculture and natural resource management practices among rural communities in Malawi.

By Timothy Peter 

Dedza, February 7, Mana: Dedza District Council Forestry Officer, Sitwell Banda, has disclosed that the district council has planned to plant 1,650,000 trees in this year’s forestry season, which is ending on April 15, 2025.

Banda made the remarks Thursday during the district’s launch of the 2024/2025 district forestry season at Mkumbi Catchment in the area of Senior Chief Kaphuka under the theme: ‘Restore Forests and Land to Secure Food Production’.

According to Banda, the forestry season is crucial for restoring forests which are currently depleted in the district.

He said people should realize that climate change that the country is experiencing is one of the impacts of destroying forests by carelessly cutting down trees for several human activities.

"This season is important for us to plant more trees and take care of it. We want to join hands with chiefs and other stakeholders to restore the forests in the district so that shortly, we benefit from it," he said.

On his part, Senior Chief Kaphuka advised people in the district to plant more trees on bare grounds and also replace those that are cut down. 

He said: "We need to take care of these planted trees and continue planting more in our backyards and bare grounds. We are also required to replace trees that have been cut down."

Taking his turn, Guest of Honor at the event, Dedza district council, Chairperson, Stanley Manase, said authorities have the role to play in restoring the forests by taking the message to the people so that they understand that trees are very important for their living. 

He also advised people to avoid illegal charcoal burning as one way of taking care of the forests in the district.

The country’s Vice President Michael Usi launched the National Forestry Season at Lufita Primary School in Chitipa on December 17, 2024.

By Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe, February 6, Mana: Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) has closed four service stations over regulatory violations.

The affected stations are ENGEN Chiringa, Mount Meru Dunduzu 2, Mount Meru Nathenje, and SIMSO Mzuzu Service Station.

According to a press statement released on Thursday, MERA said they received complaints that the four Service stations sold fuel in jerrycans and drums which is prohibited under the Liquid Fuels and Gas Act as well as MERA regulations.

The statement states that this decision comes at a time when the country is already grappling with fuel shortages, raising concerns about accessibility and supply stability.

 "despite prior warnings, these service stations continued with the illegal sales, prompting regulatory action which is even posing risks to public safety and the environment,” reads the statement.

Meanwhile, MERA has said the stations will remain closed until they comply with the necessary procedures and ensure such practices do not occur again.

By Sellah Singini

Lilongwe, February 6, Mana: Lilongwe City Council (LCC) has generated K6 billion in local revenue as of December 2024 against a target of K15 billion in the 2024/2025 financial year which will end in March 2025.

In an interview, Chief Accountant for LCC Frank Simwaka said LCC's total budget for the year 2024/2025 financial year was pegged at K 23 billion of which K 8 billion was to be financed under central government transfers and K 15 billion under locally generated revenue.

He said, in the financial year 2024/2025 the council has faced a number of challenges in generating local revenue such as an incomplete database for liquor licenses, the unwillingness of ratepayers to voluntarily pay property rates, and inadequate personnel, tools and equipment to support revenue collection.

“In the financial year of 2023/2024, the council collected 12 billion through local revenue against a target of K9 billion for the whole year. The total budget for the particular financial year was K16 billion, K7 billion from government transfers and K9 billion from locally generated revenue,

“In the 2023/2024 financial year, the council surpassed its target on local revenue collection compared to the financial year 2024/2025. Although we are remaining with three months to the end of the current financial year to be accounted for which are January, February and March, I do not think we can beat our K15 billion target because these months are considered lean, in as far as revenue collection is concerned,” Simwaka said.

He therefore said the council has put in place strategies that will be used to improve revenue collection in the 2025/2026 financial year such as dedicating eight vehicles for revenue collection, proposing payment of K12000 per year as squatter fees for those not in the register and will conduct more campaigns and awareness on payment of property and city rates and land regulation.

Meanwhile, Senior Chairman for Tsoka Free Market Steve Magombo has asked the city council to improve its service delivery at the market using the local revenue generated.

He said, vendors at the market try their best to pay revenue but they do not receive good services from the council saying for example, there is inadequate toilets, poor sanitation and improper water drainage system which affects their wellbeing.

" We have a shortage of toilets as we have four toilets against the estimation of over 5000 vendors water drainage system is also a problem as we experience water flooding from Bwalo la Njobvu to the market which usually disturbs our customers and affects our businesses at the end of the day," Magombo said.

“Although we are facing a lot of challenges such as rising prices of items we sell which affects our profits, we try our best to pay revenue,” he added.

He further said, that as vendors they are waiting for the council’s action because the issue of inadequate toilets, improper water drainage system and poor sanitation were already presented to the authority.

By Robert Nayeja

Nsanje, January 6, Mana: A full council meeting at Nsanje District Council approved a K28 billion 2025/2026 budget on Thursday.

Council Chairperson, Councillor, Hussein Ngwali said the budget is meant to improve the socio-economic livelihoods of people in the district through the provision of essential facilities.

“I thank you members of the full council for passing the budget,” he added.

Nsanje District Commissioner, Dominic Mwandira said the council will take on board all the advice from the members of the council.

“We are committed to implement the budget that is responsive to the needs of the people,” added Mwandira.

Senior Chief Chimombo urged Nsanje District Council to improve transparency and accountability during the implementation of activities in the budget.

Nsange District Council 2024/2025 budget was about K7.4 billion and part of it was used to construct school blocks, market shades and drilling of boreholes among others

By Dalitso Kampira

Thyolo, February 6, Mana: Rutrand Farmers Cooperative Limited has introduced the Rural Transformation for Natural Development (Rutrand) project to farmers in Thyolo District to enable them boost agricultural yields by using the newly introduced organic fertiliser called, Chonde.

Rutrand Farmers Cooperative Limited unveiled the project during a District Executive Committee (DEC) meeting on Thursday as it presented its project plans to the executive committee members.

Speaking to Malawi News Agency (Mana) after the meeting, Rutrand Limited, Chief Executive Officer, Harold Njewa told Malawi News Agency (Mana) that his company is optimistic that Chonde fertiliser would help farmers to improve crop production.

“Chonde fertilizer is affordable to farmers. This product will help bridge the gap left by the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) and contribute to increased production in the district,” Njewa said.

He further said affordability will help complimenting government’s efforts of making Malawi food sufficient.

Njewa therefore thanked Thyolo District Council for approving the project, stating that Rutrand Farmers Cooperative Limited can meet farmers' demands.

Thyolo District, Director of Planning and Development, Thokozire Munthali, hailed the initiative saying it is a major step towards addressing food insecurity in the district.

“Food insecurity remains a major challenge in Thyolo due to the high cost of farm inputs, particularly fertiliser. With the introduction of Rutrand’s more affordable alternative, farmers will now have better access to inputs. I am sure this will increase food crop production thereby improving food security,” she added.

Similarly, Thyolo District Chief Agriculture Officer, Mphatso Kafuwa, commended Rutrand for launching the project, noting that the new fertilizer's composition and blend of organic and inorganic materials make it a sustainable option for farmers.

“As an agriculture office, we appreciate this initiative because fertiliser prices have been very high. This new type of fertiliser, combining both organic and inorganic elements, is a great solution,” she added.

The Rutrand project is being implemented in Ntcheu, Dedza, Zomba, Chiradzulu, Blantyre, Mulanje, and Thyolo, covering all Traditional Authorities and Extension Planning Areas.