MANAonline
Parliamentary Committee says more funds needed to speed up project
By Elia Chibwe
Lilongwe, September 4: The Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture has revealed that the Shire Valley Transformation Program requires significantly more funding to be completed within the scheduled timeline.
In a separate interview with media after Parliamentary session on Wednesday, in Lilongwe, Vice Chairperson for Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Ulemu Chilapondwa highlighted that the committee is happy with tremendous progress of the project, however more funds are needed to speed up the project.
"We are very happy and impressed with the tremendous progress. About 96 percent of the construction over the 6 km stretch is complete, which gives us hope that the project is indeed moving forward.
"However, the committee also discovered that the project requires significantly more funds to avoid delays. This will ensure it is completed on time, allowing farmers to begin accessing it as planned," Chilapondwa said.
He urged government to be committed on funding the project as one way for preventing stoppages of the project.
"In our report, we urge the government to ensure that funds are provided promptly to prevent any interruptions or delays in progress. Timely funding is crucial to completing the project on schedule,” he said.
He said first phase is expected to be completed in December so that farmers should start growing crops along the stretch.
In his report, Chairperson for Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, Sameer Suleman said the program aims at increasing productivity and commercialization of households in Shire Valley and improve sustainable management of utilization of natural resources.
He urged government to ensure that beneficiaries would also be able to benefit from the subsidized irrigation materials.
"The committee will be happy if beneficiaries would also be able to benefit from the subsidized irrigation materials such as solar pumps in order to put the project in good use," he said.
According to Suleman beneficiaries around the project area are estimated to be 279,550 which is 60,772 households and the project aims at providing irrigation to over 43,000 hectares through phase construction of new gravity fed irrigation scheme to 27,600 hectares of agriculture land.
He also indicated that the program is being done by government with support of World Bank and African Development Bank.
MERA confirms No change in fuel prices
By Hastings Yobe
Lilongwe, September 5, Mana: Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) has announced that there will be no adjustments to the current fuel prices.
This decision comes amidst widespread speculations about potential price hikes.
In an official statement released on Wednesday, MERA confirmed that the prices per litre for petroleum products would remain unchanged.
“The current rates are Petrol at K2,530, Diesel at K2,734, and Paraffin at K1,910.,” reads the statement.
MERA has since urged the public to disregard any contrary information and assured that it will keep stakeholders and the general public informed about any developments in energy regulation through official channels.
Lilongwe Mayor Launches 'Clean Green City Challenge' to Beautify the Capital
By Patience Kapinda
Lilongwe, September 4, Mana: In a move to transform the city's environmental landscape, Lilongwe Mayor, Councilor Esther Sagawa, has launched the "Clean Green City Challenge."
The initiative encourages residents to take an active role in cleaning their city, fostering community participation and pride.
She said the 'Clean Green City Challenge' is a call to action for all residents to join forces in creating a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment for Lilongwe city.
"We want to make Lilongwe a model for other cities in Malawi and beyond, showcasing the power of collective action in creating a more sustainable urban environment," Sagawa said.
Among others, the campaign invites citizens to post photos or videos of areas in need of cleaning within the city center or old town by tagging the Mayor on social media and use the hashtag #CleanGreenCityChallenge.
The Mayor's team will then clean the areas, and then before-and-after photos will be shared to celebrate the progress.
A local business owner, Mphatso Makoti, is excited to participate in the initiative. "I am inspired to participate in the 'Clean Green City Challenge' because I believe that every business has a responsibility to contribute to the well-being of the community and the environment," she said.
To encourage customer participation, Makoti plans to offer incentives such as discounts for customers who bring their reusable bags or containers. "I will also educate them on the importance of sustainability and provide tips on how they can reduce their waste," she added.
In terms of reducing waste and promoting sustainability in her operations, Makoti plans to reduce single-use plastics, compost organic waste, and use energy-efficient equipment.
Charles Mkoka, Executive Director of the Coordination Union for the Rehabilitation of the Environment (CURE), praised the initiative, saying it will have a transformative impact on Lilongwe's environmental landscape.
The "Clean Green City Challenge" aligns with the broader vision of making Lilongwe a sustainable and livable city.
As Mayor Sagawa emphasized, "I hope to leave a legacy of a cleaner, greener, and more responsible community that takes pride in their environment."
By engaging the community in the process, the "Clean Green City Challenge" sets a shining example for other cities in Malawi and beyond, demonstrating the power of collective action in creating a more sustainable urban environment.
MRA upbeat with the rehab of Beira-Marka railway line
By Arnold Namanja
Nsanje, September 4, Mana: Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) has said rehabilitation of the Beira-Marka railway line in Nsanje District is expected to increase volume of trade between Malawi and Mozambique.
MRA Marketing Communications Manager, Wilma Chalulu made the observation on Wednesday when the tax collection body took editors from the Southern region on a tour to Marka-Nyathando Border Post in the district.
Chalulu said once the rehabilitation of the railway line at the border is completed, it would increase the volume of trade between Malawi and Mozambique while enhancing revenue collection for MRA at the same time.
“Already we have been collecting some revenue from traders doing business on this border which is expected to be even higher once the facility is fully rehabilitated,” she added.
Chalulu said MRA, on its part, will construct decent houses at the border post to create a good working environment and motivate staff at the borderline.
On addressing the challenge of smuggling, she said MRA continues engaging communities with the involvement of local leaders on the disadvantages of evading tax at the expense of national development.
“In collaboration with other law enforcement agencies, we constantly sensitize communities and empower them to join in the fight against smuggling. Of course, smuggling is a big challenge and its fight is ongoing,” Chalulu added.
Meanwhile, the railway line has already facilitated the importation of construction materials as well as raw materials for China Railways 20 Company and Prescane, respectively, underscoring its potential.
Speaking in an interview, Malawi editor's forum General Secretary, Gracian Tukwila said the tour was necessary for editors as gatekeepers to be on top of things.
“Editors need to be updated regularly about the latest developments happening in various sectors of our economy. This tour could not have come at any better time than now when rail transportation has proved to be cost-effective,” Tukula said.
Malawi is a signatory to regional and continental pacts such as the Africa Continental Free Trade Area, Southern Africa Development Community and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa which strives to make borders seamless to facilitate easy and legitimate movement of goods and services.
Malawi and China sign K50 billion Judicial Complex construction deal
By Chikondi Chimala, in Beijing, China
Beijing, September 4: Mana: The governments of Malawi and China Tuesday signed a K50 billion financing agreement for the construction of the Judicial Complex in Lilongwe.
Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Simplex Chithyola-Banda signed the agreement on behalf of the Malawi government and described the agreement as a fitting gift from the Chinese government to the people of Malawi.
The minister said the grant financing which is worth Chinese RMB 200 million translating to over USD 30 million (about K50 billion) will aid the transformation of Malawi.
In an interview with the Malawi News Agency (Mana), Chithyola-Banda said that Chinese President Xi JinPing informed President Dr Lazarus Chakwera about the grant financing of the Judicial Complex during their bilateral meeting at the Great Hall of the People held on Tuesday morning.
“I am happy that I have signed this agreement on behalf of the Malawi government that will see our judicially operate from modern buildings that will house quite many offices including courtrooms which is a positive development.”
“The onus to start work on the Judicial Complex that will be constructed in Lilongwe opposite the Parliament Building is now on my ministry which will work to fastback its operationalization with the stakeholders in China to make sure disbursements are done so that the work can start soon,” said Chithyola Banda.
The Finance Minister also said aside from changing the face of Lilongwe, the project will contribute to the socio-economic development of the country, as it will see several Malawians getting employed on the project and others supplying goods and services as well.
Chithyola-Banda said the commitment of the Chinese government to fund the project is a result of focused leadership that has prioritized building good relations with other countries as already seen by the designation of Malawi as a strategic partner by the Chinese Government
Signing on behalf of the Chinese government was Long Zhou who is the Chinese Ambassador to Malawi who said his government would see to it that the project runs its full course and that the relations between the two countries grow from strength to strength.
The signing agreement took place on the sidelines of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit which is being attended by President Dr Lazarus Chakwera and will among others focus on building relations and cooperation in supporting Africa’s industrialization, energy and trade as a priority, talent development, accelerating agricultural modernization, agenda 2063 of the African Union, modernization and mutual learning among civilizations, political, peace, and security cooperation as well as poverty reduction.
Focac was instituted in 2000 to foster relations between China and the 53 African nations and the African Union (AU) and is held every six years while the minister’s conference is held every three years.
Social cash transfer bails people out of poverty
By Manasse Nyirenda
Rumphi, September 3, Mana: Social Cash Transfer Programme beneficiaries in Rumphi have praised the programme for bailing them out of extreme poverty.
In an interview on Monday, one of the beneficiaries, Lucy Nyasulu from Madumura Village in Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe said her family was trapped in deep poverty before being selected to be one of the beneficiaries.
"At the time I became a beneficiary, we were living in a shack and struggling to find food for our family. But once we got enrolled, we worked very hard to transform our lives for the better by venturing into farming using Social cash transfer money," she said.
She said she joined village loans and savings groups which made her earn interest on her savings which she later invested in farming.
She has since earned over K5 million from tobacco farming and has built a house and also owns a hair salon business.
The 31-year-old mother of three is now focusing on growing more tobacco to earn more money and transform her home’s well-being.
Another beneficiary, Fyness Kayira from Nthumbatumba Village in Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe said the programme is her lifeline.
"I am now under the care of my grandchildren who are not well-to-do. I lost my husband and all my children who were supporting me. I cannot imagine how I would survive without this money I get. The money helps me to meet my needs," she said.
On her part, Mayilesi Gumbo, 42, from Chilakata Village says she invested part of her receipts in piggery farming and now owns 10 pigs.
She added that her household is now food secure and that she and her husband can meet their needs including four children.
District Social Welfare Officer for Rumphi, Zindaba Lungu says many beneficiaries on the programme have built decent houses, bought livestock and own thriving businesses which have helped lessen the burden of poverty in the communities.
Social Cash Transfer Programme is a Malawi Government programme under Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods (SSRLP).
It is funded by the Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF), the World Bank and the Malawi Government and coordinated by the National Local Government Finance Committee.
Nkhotakota VSL Groups Embrace Digital Financial Services
By Wongani Mkandawire.
Nkhotakota, September 4, Mana: Village savings and loan groups in Nkhotakota have expressed satisfaction with the digital financial services that the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) is advocating for in the district.
Speaking to Malawi News Agency on Wednesday during an awareness campaign in the district, Moses Chiwali a poultry farmer in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Mwansambo in the district said, the digital financial mobile services are safe in case of any eventualities.
“My business is straightforward, give and take and I recommend mobile money because I do not have to wonder about safe storage of my money,” said Chiwali.
Another trader Tamara Banda from T/A Mwansambo said mobile money transfer is efficient and saves everyone time and has simplified distant trading in the district because money can just be sent and receive goods after receipt of payment.
“These days one does not need to travel to Lilongwe and order things but can simply send money through Airtel money or Mpamba and your supplier will ship your order without you travelling and this makes life easier,” said Banda.
Nkhotakota District Council community development officer Elina Lucas said it is impressive that many village savings and loan groups are migrating to digital financial services from the old-school method of keeping money in hard cash at meetings which was risky.
The reserve bank in partnership with AC Consulting is conducting an awareness campaign on digital financial services targeting different communities around the country.
CS-EPWP beneficiaries urged to join village bank groups
By Eranivey Temani
Lilongwe, September 04, Mana: The new Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Program (CS-EPWP) beneficiaries of Biwi village, Traditional Authority (T/A) Chiseka have been urged to join village bank groups so that they save part of the money for future use.
Speaking on Tuesday at Badwa Primary School, Lilongwe District Council Assistant Community Development Officer Gladys Kalumbi said saving money under Community Savings and Investment Promotion (COMSIP) can assist the beneficiaries when they are hit by some challenges caused by the effects of climate change.
“Money will never be enough, but it takes commitment for one to start saving for future use. We have seen many people achieving their goals after joining village banks, Village Savings Loan (VSLs) and Comsip groups, you too, can do better,” she said.
Kalumbi further urged the beneficiaries to put into good use of any money, which they will receive by among other things starting small-scale businesses, which will later assist them in transforming their livelihood.
One of the new CS-EPWP beneficiaries Christina Bumani of Watison village expressed excitement over COMSIP group formation in her area, saying she has just been hearing of the initiative.
“This is good news to us, as we will be able to save our money and start a revolving loan amongst ourselves, an initiative I am sure will transform our lives,” she said.
Bumani then asked her fellow members to take whatsoever they have learnt seriously, so that they see the benefit of saving culture.
CS-EPWP is a World Bank-funded project and is being implemented by the government through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) in all 28 districts.
Communities appeal for more health workers at Ligowe Health Centre
By Salome Gangire
Neno, September 04, Mana: Communities surrounding Ligowe Health Center in the area of Traditional Authority Mlauli in Neno District have appealed District Health Office to deploy an additional clinician at the facility to improve service delivery.
Chairperson of the Community Voice and Action group, Damiano Khosomani, appealed on Tuesday during an interface meeting organized by the National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) Trust under the three-year Boma Lathu project, funded by the European Union.
He stated that the health facility currently has only one clinician, which strains service delivery due to the high number of patients.
“We have only one clinician here which results in patients spending more time in the queue before receiving assistance,” Khosomani said.
He added that patients experience prolonged waiting times at the hospital as it serves more than 15 villages.
Chairperson of Mlauli Area Development Committee (ADC), Yasintha Kafaniza noted that staff shortage forces the clinician to work long hours, compromising the quality of care provided due to fatigue.
In response, District Health Office (DHO) representative Henderson Mitepa announced that an additional clinician will be deployed to the health center to enhance staff capacity.
“Ligowe Health Centre has been assigned one more clinician to strengthen the team and address the staffing gap, making it the only health centre in the district with two clinicians,” he said.
NICE District Programmes Officer for Neno, Walace Kudzala explained that the interface meeting was aimed at providing a platform for citizens and marginalized groups to voice their challenges to the duty bearers and for the duty bearers to respond to their obligations.
“It is the responsibility of communities to demand their rights and ensure transparency and accountability,” Kudzala said.
He highlighted that there is often a lack of accountability from duty bearers in service delivery and limited responsiveness to community concerns.
Traditional Authority Mlauli expressed gratitude to NICE for organizing the interface, stating that it offered a valuable forum for resolving community issues with the relevant authorities.
Serengeti energy plans to expand
By Damiano Thengo
Nkhotakota, September 4, Mana: Serengeti Energy, a private solar energy generation company has disclosed that they intend to develop another solar power plant in Nkhotakota to complement their current power plant in the district.
Speaking during a media tour at the plant, Plant Manager Paul Mhango said they have already acquired land that is just adjacent to their current plant and are at an advanced planning stage for the construction of the second plant.
“The land acquisition was already done but there are other issues to close out before we can set a date and negotiate other terms like the capacity of energy to be produced at this plant.” Said Mhango.
Currently, Serengeti energy company through its solar plant in the district, generates and contributes 21 Megawatts to the national grid through its power purchase agreement with the Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM).
Nkhotakota district council spokesperson Wongani Mkandawire said, as a council, they commend Serengeti energy and have always been supportive because not only does the country benefit through the electricity added to the grid but also people in the district benefit through employment at the plant and other corporate social responsibility programmes that the company implements around the community.
The government through the Ministry of Energy is currently implementing various projects around the country aimed at increasing power production to combat power shortages.
