MANAonline
Construction of houses for persons with albinism on course.
By: Andrew Mkonda
Lilongwe, October 23, Mana: A 20-year-old Siyana Kamtengo, one of the people with albinism in Traditional Authority Masula in Lilongwe district has hailed government for constructing houses for people with albinism across the country.
Kamtengo made the remarks Tuesday when officials from the Ministry of Lands and Lilongwe District Council inspected the progress of the project.
"We were not safe. During the night hours, we could hear people wanting to enter into our house to harm us. But with this house, we are now safe," she said.
Kamtengo who stays with her old grandmother then asked government and well-wishers to assist her and the family with a capital so that she can start a small-scale business to sustain the family.
“Our grandmother is old and she doesn’t do anything, but my sister and I are still strong and if we can have capital to start a small business it can really assist us. Our biological father run away from us. We sleep with an empty stomach most of the times because we do not have a reliable source of income to find our basic need,” she said.
Deputy Director in the Ministry of Lands responsible for rural housing Kingsly Lungu expressed satisfaction with the progress of the project saying the contractors are doing a commendable job.
Lungu said it is encouraging that since government started constructing houses for people with albinism, there has been no reported cases of abductions, which means that the security for people with albinism has been strengthened and they feel safe.
“This project is being implemented in all districts across the country apart from Likoma where there is no person with albinism. People are very excited, they feel very secure and safe. We believe that this project will go very far in preventing abductions and inhumane treatment of people with albinism,” he said.
Lungu then disclosed that government is intending to construct 100 houses for people with albinism in five years and it has already managed to construct 67 houses across the country, with Eleven of them being constructed in Lilongwe district.
Government started constructing houses of people with albinism in 2021 and it is now in fourth phase of the project.
Mchinji Embraces E-Payment for Social Cash Transfer Programme
By Vincent Khonje
Mchinji, October 23, Mana: Mchinji District has transitioned from manual payment to electronic payment in the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCT), commonly known as 'Mtukula Pakhomo'.
The programme has now shifted to a mobile-based payment arrangement by using TNM Mpamba.
Speaking Tuesday during the registration of the beneficiaries into the new payment system at Guillime, District Commissioner for Mchinji, Lucia Chidalengwa, hailed the move as a major improvement for the programme.
“This new arrangement brings several advantages, logistical challenges that arose when sending officers to manually disburse funds to beneficiaries will be minimised. Additionally, beneficiaries will not be exposed to theft, as they will now receive the transfers in confidence through their phones,” Chidalengwa said.
One of the beneficiaries, Judith Kilementi, from Chithala Village in Traditional Authority (TA) Zulu, expressed her relief with the new payment system compared to the old system.
“In the past, we had to travel long distances to pay points, sometimes waiting for hours to receive our money. It was not easy, we often got hungry, and the transport costs reduced the little we received. Now, I will not have to spend hours or use the money on transport,” said Kilementi, a widow, looking after seven children.
Another beneficiary, Petulo Mkwezalamba from Njelengo Village, TA Zulu, will receive his cash transfer for the first time under the new system and welcomed the idea.
“Receiving money through a cellphone is ideal for me. I can withdraw the cash at a time that suits me without having to rush or travel to a distant location,” said Mkwezalamba.
Chief Social Welfare Officer responsible for the Social Cash Transfer programme, Chifundo Nanchukwa, said the transition to electronic payments is part of government's broader agenda to digitalize all Government-to-People (G2P) payments.
“This new system offers many benefits as beneficiaries can access their money at any time, rather than being required to gather at a specific location. It will also reduce non-collection of transfers and enhance financial inclusion, as beneficiaries will be using digital payment systems,” said Nanchukwa.
Government is transitioning to E-payment for its social protection beneficiaries, which include ‘Mtukula Pakhomo’ and Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) also known as ‘M’bwenzera Chilengedwe’.
Youth urged to embrace e-payment in Thyolo
By Dalitso Kampira
Thyolo, October 23, Mana: As the world transitions from analogue to digital, Ministry of Finance has urged the youths in Thyolo to embrace electronic payment (e-payment) systems as the world is advancing in digital technology and transaction.
Digital Financial Service Specialist in the Ministry of Finance, Steve Mgwadira made the call on Tuesday during the Digital Financial Services (DFS) awareness Campaign conducted by the ministry in collaboration with the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) at Thunga Community Day Secondary School
He said youths have a significant role to play in this digital era as Malawi is migrating to e-payment systems.
“We are raising awareness among the youth about the e-payment. The youths should be able to pass this knowledge on to parents and guardians.
"The world is going digital, and it is vital for young people to engage in mobile banking through platforms like e-banks, Airtel Money, and TNM Mpamba,” Mgwadira added.
He noted that by embracing the digital era, the youth who are both present and future leaders will help pass the innovations from one generation to the next.
Reserve Bank of Malawi, Senior Analyst in the National Payment Systems Department, Setrida Thomas, said e-payment is convenient for young people as it reduces time spent standing in long queues to transact thereby allowing them to focus on other activities.
“We live in a fast-paced world where most youths are reluctant to wait in long queues to access banking services.
“The introduction of e-payment systems will ease this burden, freeing up their time for studies, business, and other pursuits,” she said.
Thomas added that there will be long-term benefits in targeting young people with e-payment education, observing that it will drive socio-economic development through promoting use of digital financial systems.
“We know that today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders. Involving them in convenient ways to send, receive, and manage money will have a significant impact on the country's digital future,” she added.
Brenda Makilele, a 16-year-old student at Thunga CDSS, said was excited with initiative, stating that it will help her to save and send money with ease.
“E-payment will help my parents to pay my school fees and buy school necessities with ease,” the student stated, adding that the electronic payment was ideal and relevant as the world is becoming full of scammers and fraudsters.
The Digital Financial Inclusion and Competitiveness (DFIC) Project, which began in July 2024, is expected to conclude in January 2025.
DFIC is being implemented across all 28 districts in Malawi, including Thyolo, and targets communities under all traditional authorities in the district.
NWRA warns of rising water levels in Nkhotakota
By Damiano Thengo
Nkhotakota, October 23, Mana: The National Water Resources Authority (NWRA) has warned residents in Nkhotakota to avoid undertaking any activity along the boards of Water, as they anticipate a rise in water levels in Lake Malawi and other boards of water this coming rainy season.
These remarks were made on Tuesday by the NWRA Public Relations Officer Masozi Kasambara during an engagement meeting with senior members from Area Development Committees (ADCs) at NKhotakota Aids Support Organization hall (NASO) in Nkhotakota district.
Kasambara said the meeting was aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of relocating to establishments close to Lake Malawi, rivers and other boards of Water. He revealed that projection indicates that Lake Malawi and other boards of water in the district, will have high water levels in the next hydrological year than in the current year.
Kasambara further asked the general public to seek guidance from the authority whenever they are considering constructing infrastructure along rivers or shorelines. He advised residents in flood-prone areas to relocate ahead of the upcoming rainy season.
"The prediction has it that during the next hydrological year, we will witness more water levels both on Lake Malawi and Shire River, but the key message that we would like to put across to the nation is that people must avoid constructing infrastructures or cultivating along the river banks or lake Malawi because this can put their lives at risk", said Kasambara.
In his remarks, Kanyenda ADC Chairperson, McPasswell Mzumara commended the initiative, and he assured the authority that they would share information gained during the meeting with people living in their respective villages.
Mzumara said Nkhotakota was hit hard by floods this year in February and many people have not recovered from the devastation and to see a repeat of the same would be unfortunate.
Council hails project for promoting food security
By Richard Kagunda
Kasungu, October 23, Mana: Chairperson for Kasungu District Council, Mwambilaso Mbedza has hailed Kasungu Agriculture Coordination Project (KACP) for promoting food security and equipping people in the rural areas with modern agricultural skills.
Funded by the Flanders Government to the tune of 450 000 Euros, the KACP which started in 2018 aimed at equipping farmers in the district with knowledge so that they remain resilient in the face of climate change.
Speaking when she presided over a ceremony marking the end of the first phase of the project on Tuesday at Kalolo in the area of Senior Chief Lukwa in Kasungu district, Mbedza advised the farmers to sustain the activities learned under the project to make their homes food secure and harvest enough for commercial purposes.
“We will live to cherish this project and it is our desire that the activities under the initiative are sustained so that we remain resilient to climatic shocks that are hitting us hard.
“Let me applaud the Flanders Government for supporting us in this manner and we can only pay them back by building on the skills learned in order to have adequate food in our household which was the main aim of this project,” she said.
Earlier in the day, Mbedza inspected some of the agricultural works done under the project which was being implemented in eight model villages in the district.
Apart from building capacity for farmers on modern farming approaches, the project also provide the farming household with livestock such as goats, pigeons and chicken and constructed a solar powered irrigation scheme.
The council’s chairperson for Agriculture Service Committee, Bryson Zephaniah said KACP has complemented government efforts in boosting agricultural productivity which is one of the anchor pillars to achieving the Malawi 2063 vision.
In his remarks, Group Village Head Kalolo expressed excitement for the progress that the project has brought in his area.
"We did not have adequate food because our approach to farming was not aligned with the changing climatic patterns.
“This time, things have changed because we are cultivating maize in our scheme even during the dry season using irrigation techniques that we learned and we also keep livestock,” Kalolo said.
In this ending phase, the project has distributed 1 850 livestock to 280 farming households and installed solar power in six of the district Extension and Planning Areas (EPAs) and connected all the EPA offices to internet.
Ministry embarks on land governance bills sensitization
By Fostina Mkandawire
Salima, October 23, Mana: Minister of Lands Deus Gumba on Wednesday expressed optimism that more Malawians will venture into the real estate sector after Parliament passed three new Land Governance Bills.
Gumba made the remarks in Salima during an orientation on new Land Governance Bills and progress of Land sector devolution in Salima District.
According to Gumba, the Land Bills are critical in offering opportunities to more Malawians for them to participate in the real estate market and addressing emerging challenges, particularly in the real estate sector.
"For example, the Sectional Titles Bill aims to provide ownership of real rights
in, or over parts of buildings, thereby allowing Malawians who could not afford to own multi-story buildings to be part owners," he said.
He added that the Property Valuation Bill will regulate the practice of property valuation and shall hear complaints regarding valuation and lastly, the Real Estate Management Bill aims to provide regulation of the practice of real estate managers.
"Implementation of these Bills, once they are laws, are expected to bring sanity in the real estate sector and curb transactions that disadvantage “uniformed” Malawians who are ripped off their land,” he said.
Regarding the implementation of land sector devolution, the Minister said the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture have been working on Fiscal Devolution to ensure that councils have the financial resources to undertake land-related functions.
He revealed that the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs already approved devolving part of the Ministry of Land in the 2024/25 budget, therefore councils will start receiving budgetary funds soon.
On his part, Principal Secretary for Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Hara said following the deployment of land officers to local councils, citizens will be receiving services from the Ministry of Land faster and more efficiently.
He therefore called for continuous support from the Ministry of Lands to District Councils for the smooth transition of power while urging councils to also sensitize communities about the devolution of land roles, so that they can start accessing services.
"The sensitization and implementation of land laws, along with the devolution of land-related services, requires a holistic approach to reach out to all Malawians," he said.
Bridge construction excites constituents in Chitipa
By Aliko Munde
Chitipa, October 23, Mana: Chitipa East constituents have applauded the district council, their Member of Parliament and councilors for constructing Ndendo Bridge using the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) amounting to K 19 million.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency, Memory Mlenga from Kasitu Village, Senior Chief Mwenemisuku said before the bridge, it was difficult to cross the river during the rainy season.
“We used to have challenges when crossing the bridge during rainy seasons and learners from areas like Kumwenga village had difficulties crossing the bridge to access primary education at Kasitu Primary School,” Mlenga explained.
She further said farmers also had difficulties when going to their farms and transporting their farm produce.
"With the construction of the bridge, we are happy and this has eased the challenges we used to encounter during the rainy season,” Mlenga added.
A learner at Kasitu Primary School, Petros Msukwa thanked the district council for considering the people of the area by constructing a concrete bridge, which he said will ease challenges during the rainy season.
“When the river is flooded we could stay for a week or two without going to school, which was a challenge. But we are now excited with this concrete bridge,” Petros said.
Kapoka Ward Councillor, Alice Chanza said heavy rains have always been washing away wooden bridge at the place, which she said has been a great challenge to the elected leaders in the area and the district council.
“This bridge has been a nightmare to us. The bridge had been swept away several times because it was made of wooden poles which resulted in communities from other villages failing to cross the bridge to access health care services to nearby health centres and worse still, children had difficulties going to school,” Chanza said.
She commended communities for contributing sand and stones towards the bridge construction project.
CSOs impressed with GESD and DDF projects in Chikwawa
By Willy Kadewere and Priscilla Mwakifuna
Chikwawa, October 23, Mana: Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Network in Chikwawa District says is satisfied with the ongoing District Development Fund (DDF) and Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) projects in the district for involving community members in project planning and implementation.
Speaking on Tuesday after a monitoring tour organised by the council, Chairperson for Chikwawa CSOs network, Anderson Billiat, said community involvement is a good approach to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of public funds.
He further praised the council for adhering to project timelines at Nkudzi Community Day Secondary School (CDSS), a GESD-funded project which was built at a tune of K142,000,000 acknowledging that construction was completed earlier than the scheduled period of 90 days.
“Strengthening collaboration between CSOs, the council, and contractors is also crucial in preventing substandard construction,” he advised.
In her remarks, Public Relations Officer for Chikwawa District Council, Leah Malimbasa thanked the CSOs for working closely with the council.
“As a council, we aim to include all stakeholders in the district as we implement various development projects. CSOs are one of the stakeholders crucial for effective and efficient implementation of projects,” she said.
Malimbasa added that going forward, the council will incorporate advice and recommendations from the CSOs and various stakeholders.
“They have physically inspected the works and have provided good suggestions on how we can improve.
“We are also encouraged by the praises we have received in areas that we are doing well, the goal is to utilise funds we get through GESD, DDF and others for infrastructure development and improve service delivery across the district,” she said.
Nsangwe Umoyo Houses Project Management Committee, Chairperson, Felix Messa thanked Malawi Government for constructing a health centre and staff houses in the area, saying this will reduce the long distances people previously took to access healthcare services.
He said the construction of two health worker houses at Nsangwe Health Centre is nearing completion and further acknowledged that the contractor maintained higher standards throughout the construction.
Messa also highlighted the role of the community monitoring committee, saying it keeps holding the contractor accountable.
Similarly, the Chairperson of the Nkudzi CDSS Project Management Committee, Stephano Gomiwa said the new school is a game-changer for local students, who previously had to walk long distances to access education at Mfera CDSS which is over 12 kilometres from Nkudzi.
“Our children used to walk long distances to reach Mfera CDSS. With Nkudzi CDSS in place, children have started learning closer to home.
“45 students were selected to this school and the school has currently started its operations,” Gomiwa said.
Likoma Police arrest woman for allegedly murdering a six-year-old girl
By Ireen Mseteka
Likoma, October 23, Mana: Likoma Police, Tuesday arrested a Mozambican national Agness Msadala 23 for allegedly taking part in the brutal killing of a six-year-old girl at Madimba area in Likoma.
According to Public Relations Officer for Likoma Police Station, Enalla Kalua, the arrest was made following investigations into the mysterious death of the girl.
“It is alleged that Msadala took part in the murder. The mother of the deceased, Modester Chisamanga said that she had sent her daughter to borrow a knife from Msadala who is her neighbour and after coming back, the child just left the house unnoticed.
The mother assumed that her daughter left the house with the neighbour at around 7 p.m., but the suspect denied having been with the girl when she was asked about the deceased,” said Kalua.
Kalua added that the matter was then reported to Likoma Police Station where the investigation was launched.
“In the course of the searching exercise, a wet mattress stained with blood was discovered on the roof of the suspect’s house and the body of the girl was recovered at St Peter's Graveyard,” she said.
Msadala who hails from Chiwamila Village in the area of Traditional Authority Mtaya in Cobue District- Mozambique has since been charged with murder contrary to Section 209 of the Penal Code and will soon appear before court.
She said Police have intensified investigations to arrest everyone who took part in the malpractice.
In a related development, angry community members who wanted to take the law into their own hands by demanding the release of the suspect for mob justice ended up burning a police vehicle into ashes.
Council for an informed citizenry on decentralization
By Sylvester Kumwenda
Dowa, October 23, Mana: Director of Planning and Development at Dowa District Council Mercy Mpakule, said the council need to strengthen awareness of the new National Decentralization Policy (NDP) to make sure people are aware of it, and fully demand services from the council in accordance with decentralization and the policy.
She made the remarks Tuesday, when the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture conducted an orientation meeting with the management of Dowa district council, on the new NDP second edition of 2024, which provides a guiding framework for the local government system.
Mpakule said the orientation was important, but asked council officials and stakeholders to trickle it down to the people at the district level whom she said were the real beneficiaries of the policy.
"You should make sure that you raise awareness of the policy with all your staff so that they know how to implement it. But most importantly, amongst the community members.
"When community members are empowered and aware of decentralization and the NDP, they will know what, which services to demand from the council and how to demand these, which is their right. So, I urge you to ensure all our citizens know of this policy," she said.
The Malawi government through cabinet, approved the NDP revised edition of 2024 on February 6 2024, and it was subsequently launched by the minister of Local government, unity and culture Richard Chimwendo Banda.
Public Relations Officer for the ministry Anjoya Mwanza said some of the key priority areas for the NDP include Local governance, political decentralization, Fiscal Decentralization, Local Development Planning and Infrastructure Development for municipal services.
“We want to popularize the policy. So, we are currently meeting a few selected councils, but the plan is to meet all councils and different groups of people so that they know in detail what is contained in the new document and what their responsibilities are going forward,” she said.
