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Chief lauds police housing project
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, March 6, Mana: Traditional Authority (TA) Chisinga of Kasungu has lauded government for constructing modern staff houses at Chisinga Police Unit saying they will help improve security at the district’s western boarder trading centre.
Chisinga said the two houses, constructed through Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) funds to the tune of K72 million, will help attract police officers to work in the area thereby consequently boosting security.
In an interview on Tuesday the chief said, being a border area, Chisinga Trading Centre needs more police officers to help deal with cross boarder activities hence the need for more houses.
He said: “You are a police officer and your landlord is implicated in criminal activity, how would you deal with that? When law enforcers stay in rented houses, security can be compromised. This is why we laud government, through the Council, for constructing these houses.
“This is a border area and we receive so many strangers some of whom may have committed various crimes in their country. It is only the police who can determine whether they are criminals or not, but for them to do that effectively, they need to be in good numbers and staying in a good environment.”
Chisinga expressed hope that government would construct more houses to accommodate officers of other departments present in the area such as Immigration and Citizenship Services and Malawi Revenue Authority.
Kasungu District Council Director of Public Works, Davie Chigwenembe, said apart from Chisinga, more staff houses have been constructed at other police formations in the district such as Kamboni and Kapelura using GESD funds.
“For Chisinga, we understand that it is a border area so it will need more of such houses to accommodate more staff so that there is good security.
“Very soon we will procure furniture for the offices and also drill a borehole for a reticulated water system to supply the police unit and the staff houses,” he said.
Businessperson, Eluby Zimba, who orders maize flour and various soft drinks from Zambia applauded the housing project saying the presence of more police officers in an area makes traders feel safe to concentrate on their businesses.
Chisinga Trading Centre lies about 60 kilometres north-west of Kasungu boma and about 10 kilometres to the Malawi-Zambia border.
Council applauds partners for support to flood survivors in KK
By Innocent Chunga
Nkhotakota, March 6, Mana: Nkhotakota District Council has hailed provision of relief items from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), Embassy of Iceland, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and other development partners for supporting the recently affected flash flood survivors in the district.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Tuesday, Spokesperson for the Council, Wongani Mkandawire, said people who are living in the twelve camps in the areas of Senior Chief Kanyenda, Mphonde and Traditional Authority (TA) Malengachanzi are receiving relief items.
He said DoDMA, Embassy of Iceland, Ethanol, Illovo Sugar, and other local and international development partners have supported the survivors through the Council.
"Our local partners and organizations, including international partners such as the World Health Organization (WHO), are still assisting us in many ways,” said Mkandawire.
WHO has provided essential drugs to carter for the affected people for three months and the Embassy of Iceland has made available K14 million for the purchase of various relief items.
He expressed concern that the current condition of the M5 Road at Kaombe and Dwangwa has impacted on service delivery making transportation of relief supplies difficult and hindering the movement of emergency response teams, among others.
Mkandawire, said the flood disaster continues to impact the affected areas despite reduction in water levels in some areas, but said efforts to mitigate the situation and provide aid in the affected communities are ongoing.
"Improvement in weather conditions has allowed rescue and relief teams to access previously inaccessible areas and providing assistance to those in need," he added.
Mkandawire emphasized that Malawi Defense Force (MDF) are working tirelessly to locate and save individuals stranded particularly in Dwangwa.
According to DoDMA, the recent floods have affected over 14,000 people; displaced about 8,000 and claimed six lives at Dwangwa in Senior Chief Kanyenda in the district.
MRA upbeat about more people operating export warehouses
By Robert Katuli
Lilongwe, March 6, Mana: Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) says it is expecting more people to operate export warehouses government introduced last year to curb tax evasion and smuggling of farm produce.
MRA Head of Corporate Affairs, Steven Kapoloma, said this Tuesday when the Authority toured some of the customs controlled export warehouses in Lilongwe.
He said more businesses are now coming to MRA to get licenses to own and operate the warehouses.
“We are overwhelmed by the number of people that want to own and operate export warehouses. Because those that were the pioneers of these warehouses have reaped the benefits, more people are coming into their warehouses and using them to export,” said Kapoloma.
He further said the initiative has improved processes of monitoring and following up of farm produce export proceeds, hence ensuring a clear tracking, from buying the commodities from the farms to exporting them through the borders.
“We are able to track the movement of the produce from the farm gate to export warehouses to being exported outside this country.
“So, we are able to track down the quantities as they are getting into and out of the warehouses. This is a very good control measure in as far as export proceeds are concerned,” added Kapoloma.
James Nyasulu, Warehouse Manager for African Commodities Trading, one of the export warehouses MRA inspected, hailed the initiative saying it has raised their business to higher standards.
“Before the warehouses, our standards were a bit diminished because we didn't have time to grade the products.
“However, with the warehouses, we now have time to bring in the commodities, grade them and export,” he said, adding their commodities have never been turned down for quality reasons as it was the case before the warehouses.
Rachel Banda, an accountant for Giant Sprouts Ltd, an Export and Import company that owns a groundnuts export warehouse along the Bypass Road in Lilongwe, concurred with Nyasulu, saying the warehouses are a real deal.
She said: “Before the warehouses, we could not take good care of our products like we do now. There was no good security and there was a lot of damage to the goods, as such we were making losses.
"With the warehouse, there has never been a time when we lost any goods. The quantity that we bring in is the same quantity that we export. We stock huge quantities because of the warehouse.”
Apart from Giant Sprouts Ltd and African Commodities Trading, MRA also inspected Wahida Investments, another export warehouse in Lilongwe.
Chakwera inaugurates International Blantyre Cancer Centre
By Glory Msowoya
Blantyre, March 5, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera on Tuesday inaugurated the Blantyre International Cancer Centre treatment facility, the first of its kind marking a significant step in accessing health care services.
President Chakwera has since urged stakeholders to join forces in addressing pressing issues of cancer within the country.
He said the opening of the facility does not only signify a huge achievement but also a beacon of hope for countless individuals grappling with the disease.
“My government has plans to construct more cancer hospitals in the country to ensure that all cancer patients have access to treatment within our borders.
"Currently, we are implementing the National Cancer Control Plan, intending to ensure that by 2030, every cancer patient receives treatment here in Malawi.
“Reaching this far, the construction of Cancer Centre in Lilongwe is at an advanced stage, with all materials already purchased and by September of this year, the Centre will be operational,” he said.
Chakwera, therefore, commended collaborative efforts of government agencies, international partners and other organizations for ensuring that the vision for Malawi to have cancer Centre’s are being fulfilled.
He acknowledged the longstanding challenges Malawi has faced in combating cancer from limited resources to outdated treatment facilities.
The president stressed that the establishment of the modern cancer treatment Centre signifies a commitment Malawi has in addressing health-related challenges.
In his remarks, Dr. Thomson Mpinganjira, Chairperson for the Board of Trustees, International Blantyre Cancer Centre emphasized that the Centre stands as a pivotal turning point for healthcare in Malawi and it will remove exorbitant costs associated with seeking treatment abroad.
Mpinganjira said the first phase of the facility has already absorbed K9.6 billion and shall soon start second phase of the project.
“Building a cancer hospital is a way for me to help people not to go through what I experienced when my late wife was diagnosed with cancer. Cancer is a very difficult disease and it is recommended that you should access the treatment at home with family.
“I would like to assure patients and their families that they are not alone in their battle against cancer. I am here to ensure that cancer care is not only possible but also readily available to all in need," Mpinganjira said.
Representing the Minister of Health, Richard Chimwendo Banda, who also oversees the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture said the opening of the facility will provide comprehensive cancer care to Malawians.
“This facility has come at a time when Malawians are starving with cancer with an estimated 17, 000 cases occurring each year and cancer contributes more deaths in Malawi,” he said.
About 911 households affected by floods in Karonga
By George Mponda
Mzuzu, March 5, Mana: About 911 households in the area of Paramount Chief Kyungu have been affected due to over flooding of North Lukuru River in Karonga following heavy rains for the past few days.
Acting Director of Planning and Development (DPD) for Karonga District Council, Khumbo Mkandawire disclosed this when Director of Disaster Response and Recovery in the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) Rev. Moses Chimphepo visited camps where flood survivors are currently seeking shelter.
“On February 23 heavy rains affected people along North Rukuru River and as of March 1, we registered a total of 4,555 affected.
And about 516 people are currently living in five camps which have been set up by the council at Zindi African Church, Kambwe, Kalambo," said Mkandawire.
She added that the council has established five camps at Zindi African Church, Kambwe Noil, Kalambo, Kamilang'onga and Mwandosya and the DoDMA has assisted with K2 million for operational costs.
“It is also estimated that about 688.8 hectares of various crops been affected. On relief intervention, the survivors need plates, blankets, cooking oil, maize flour, chlorine, reusable sanitary pads and torches,” she said.
In his remarks, Chimphepo said DoDMA will soon provide some of the needed supplies which are needed in the camps. He advised the council to purchase and provide some of the critical supplies which it can afford as they await further support.
One of the flood survivors, Rose Simchimba appealed for the provision of mosquito nets, blankets and Antiretroviral (ARV) drugs saying people lost their medication to the floods.
Acting District Commissioner (DC) for Karonga Frank Mkandawire has since asked DodMa to construct another dyke on the northern side of North Rukuru river saying the council cannot afford the construction of this permanent dyke, a solution to flooding which occurs annually in the area.
President Lazarus Chakwera is expected to fly over the flood affected area on Monday to inspect the extent of the damage caused.
In the meantime, the Northern Region Water Board (NRWB), Karonga District Health Office, UNFPA, UNICEF, Synod of Livingstonia Development Department (SOLDEV), Paramount Chief Kyungu have donated assorted items to the survivors.
Beating dry spells and hunger with GMO crops
By Leonard Masauli
Lilongwe, March 5, Mana: Most farmers in Malawi continue to face effects of climate change such as dry spell and sometimes prolonged rainfall which cause flooding in some parts of the country, damaging crops in the process.
The year 2023 marked one of the most challenging periods for Malawi, as Cyclone Freddy struck the country, causing widespread devastation to agricultural lands.
A report by Department of Disaster and Management Affairs (DODMA), Farmers suffered immensely with more than 200,000 hectares of crops getting destroyed due to Cyclone Freddy which caused havoc across the country.
In addition to the havoc wreaked by natural disasters, the persistent invasion of fall armyworms further compounds the plight of farmers, diminishing crop yields and exacerbating food insecurity across the nation.
To defeat the worms, some farmers devised traditional means of eliminating the fall army worms such as applying wet soil in the Maize leaves or a solution of pounded Chilli pepper and salt.
Despite the repelling traditional mechanisms, the worms continue to worsen and invade crops year in and year out.
One farmer in Mchinji, Robert Katumbi said aside the dry spells this year, fall army worms have also been intensely tough on crops.
He said he would have lost all his maize to the worms if he had not applied insecticides five times for a month.
“I struggled to eliminate the army worms in my maize garden. I applied insecticides three times to at least lessen their impact, but they keep coming. Luckily, I have managed to save a bigger portion of the maize crop,” said Katumbi.
The incessant invasion of the army worms coupled by other challenges has significantly led to a decline in crop yield, hence contributing to food insecurity.
Could GM crops be the solution?
However, amidst these adversities, could genetically modified (GM) crops offer a viable solution?
The Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (LUANAR) is conducting a Confined Field Trial for Biotechnology Developed maize crop, with an aim to confirm the efficacy of Genetically Modified maize crop in line against leaf-eating insects and herbicides tolerance.
The research, according to the scientists, could be a long-lasting solution against the Fall Army Worms and dry spells and beat food insecurity.
During a visit to some of the Trials, organized by LUANAR and National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST), at the University, the Trial Manager, Kingdom Kwapata said the main objective for the trials are to identify and determine whether the insect resistance particularly Fall Army worms is working for the transgenic maize plant.
Kwapata said looking at the progress, it is evident that the plants that have the Transgenes, the leaves are intact, while those that do not have their leaves have been damaged with the Fall army worms.
“The major benefit for this technology, once done and approved, is that it will increase crop yield and because of that we are also expecting a corresponding increase in incomes.
“As you know, Fall Army Worms are one of the devastating impacts for maize in the country, and now the research has demonstrated that the maize we have are resistant to insects, this is very good news to farmers and the country as a whole,” said Kwapata.
Kwapata said the research will take three to four years because after the confined trial, they will take the trials in other parts of the country to ensure the stability of the genes to see that it is performing the same way as in the confined trials so that there is uniformity across the nation.
Project Manager for Open Forum on Agriculture Biotechnology (OFAB) based in Nairobi, Kenya, Vitumbiko Chinoko, said his organization is supporting technology development particularly the modern technology like the GMO technologies.
“Climate change has significantly affected agriculture and food systems in Africa, and we see population is growing and how the food import bill in Africa is also growing, it is time Africa member states can count on the challenges on the adoption of technologies into the agricultural systems.
“Currently we see those commitments in the agricultural sector, only 10 percent is going into the science and technology and with very little on GM technologies. It is high time for Malawi to embrace these types of technologies to improve on food security,” said Chinoko.
On negative perception about GMO foods, Chinoko said there are a lot of negative perceptions countering the integration and adoption of the technologies into food systems.
Chinoko said Africa is moving in the right direction saying several countries such as South Africa have already adopted the system and very soon Mozambique is also adopting the technologies into their food system.
“We have GMOs in South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria has commercialized maize, Ghana and Burkna Faso have both commercialized cowpeas. By doing so in these countries it means these technologies are good and they are helping farmers.
“All the perceptions and propagandas you hear about GMO foods and all the technologies that can cause cancer are false. These technologies take vigorous processes before they are accepted and given to farmers,” said Chinoko
Chief Research Officer at National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST), Lyson Kampira said Biotechnology has proven the potential of tackling pests especially in maize crop which reduces yield in Malawi.
He said this is why LUANAR and NCST have commenced the Confined Field Trial to promote the technology.
“We are trying to see whether this Biotechnology can help to fight Fall Army worm in Malawi so that we can increase our crop yield.
And having visited the trial site we have seen that the maize crop under GM trial is growing very well and has not been attacked with Fall Army worm while the local variety is heavily under attack,” said Kampira.
Plant Breeder and Genetics expert at LUANAR, Professor Moses Maliro said the introduction of Genetically Modified crop such as maize, ushers in a great solution to food insecurity in the country.
UNDP for increased solar grid electricity access to households
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, March 5, Mana: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Africa Director, Ahunna Eziakonwa has said her organization is committed to supporting more solar energy solutions in the country in order to increase access to affordable and sustainable electricity among households in the country.
She made the remarks on Monday, after touring Sitolo 80kW Solar Mini-grid in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Ndawambe in Mchinji district.
Eziakonwa said she is impressed with how community members including women from within Sitolo Mini-grid are benefiting from electricity from the solar mini-grid hence their commitment to increase the off grid electricity access in the country.
“We have seen women who have managed to move from using firewood which is hazardous to their health, they spent hours looking for firewood, but this is not the case now
Therefore, I am impressed with the transition which has been made from using firewood to using hotplates which does not have any pollution effects because when you cook with the biomass you pollute the environment but also you can get respiratory diseases form that,” Eziakonwa added.
She said an organization they were also pleased to learn how the Sitolo 80KW Solar Mini-grid has improved children performance at school as the children are able to study during the night and teachers are also able to deliver their lessons at night.
The UNDP Africa Director also applauded people of Sitolo village for conducting various businesses with the use of electricity generated at the Mini-grid.
“Energy access should not only be about lighting houses but it should also be able to improve livelihoods and that is what UNDP believes, to see a business man who is a carpenter using electricity to make his work easier, faster and come up with much bigger production and make more money for him is very impressive,” she said.
Eziakonwa said apart from supporting Malawi through the project dubbed ‘Africa Mini Grid Programme’ which UNDP launched with Global Environment Facility in 2023 at COP28 in Dubai they are eager to extend mini-grid projects in over 18 African countries.
Minister of Energy, Ibrahim Matola hailed UNDP for its commitment to supporting energy sector in the country.
“We commend UNDP for their interest to support our energy sector, currently we have 180, 000 households that have been waiting since 2016 and the UNDP support would help us to clear that backlog and also new connections which are coming,” Matola said.
Through the Sitolo 80KW Solar Min-grid, 3,640 people are accessing electricity through connections to 728 households in addition to 94 businesses powered by the mini-grid.
Centenary Bank rolls out digital insurance services
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, March 3, Mana: Centenary Bank has launched digital insurance products and services which can be accessed and managed by customers through the bank’s mobile App, ‘CentreMobileMw’ available for android devices.
The products and services include motor vehicle insurance and funeral expense plans.
Speaking in Lilongwe on Saturday, the Bank’s Principal Banc Assurance Officer, James Msiska, said customers can select insurance and policies of their choice through the App.
“Customers can compare and select policies tailored to their needs in real time. For example, on motor vehicle insurance, one can compare premium quotations from five of our partner insurers and select the one that better suits their budget," Msiska said.
The insurance cover can either be under comprehensive or third-party on private or commercial vehicles which customers can conveniently pay using the platform and they can pick their insurance discs at any Centenary Bank branch convenient to them.
Msiska stated that, for funeral insurance, customers can include their family members.
“Besides one registering for him or herself, customers can further select the number of family members to cover and the desired payout amount.
"For example, with a premium of K200, one would benefit a payout of K200,000, and a premium of K1,000 for the maximum coverage of K1,000,000," he stated.
Msiska said, through the digital insurance services, the Bank aims to improve customer experience and meet the evolving needs of clients through their mobile platform as the streamlined process allows customers to efficiently evaluate and purchase policies completely through the App.
One of the bank’s customers, Caroline Phiri, applauded the Bank for coming up with the digital services saying they would save customers in times of need.
The digital insurance services are also aimed at reducing paper usage thereby making a positive environmental impact.
Chakwera urges Malawians to draw inspiration from martyrs
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, February 3, Mana: President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has asked Malawians to emulate selflessness and patriotism demonstrated by the country’s martyrs in order to achieve meaningful national development.
Chakwera made the remarks when he presided over commemoration of Martyrs Day in Nkhata Bay on Sunday.
He noted that the martyrs were a depiction of unflinching patriotism and selflessness as they sacrificed their lives to liberate the country from colonial rule.
Chakwera said modern-day Malawians should adopt the same spirit to overcome socio-economic challenges such as poverty.
“The death of our parents on March 3, 1959 should remind us all to be patriotic citizens. A patriotic citizen devotes all efforts to fight for their country.
“Martyrs did not have any sophisticated weapons. They used locally available resources to fight back and this is what we need to emulate by using our wisdom and resources to develop this country,” he said.
Chakwera aslo disclosed that he will engage with the minister of justice to work out how all the bereaved families can be compensated.
Minister of Local Government Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda commended political party supporters who attended the commemoration ceremony for being disciplined.
“Previous martyrs’ commemoration events had always been marred by political bickering among supporters of different political parties which used to anger the bereaved families. It is quite pleasant today to note supporters of different political parties singing and dancing in harmony,” Chimwendo Banda said.
Speaking on behalf of the bereaved families, James Thawi thanked Chakwera for laying wreaths at Kakumbi graveyard on the actual martyrs’ graves than laying wreaths on the memorial pillar only as has been the case with his predecessors.
This year’s event was commemorated on the theme: “Remembering our heroes: Upholding their legacy through unity and progress.”
Notable faces that graced the commemoration included the First Lady, Madame Monica Chakwera, Vice President, Saulos Chilima, Speaker of Parliament, Catherine Gotani Hara, Leader of opposition in parliament, Kondwani Nankhumwa and some cabinet ministers. Among others,
Boundary dispute mars park fence project
By Wanangwa Tembo
Kasungu, March 2, Mana: Misunderstandings have emerged between the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) and communities in Traditional Authority (TA) Chulu in Kasungu over Kasungu National Park boundary with villagers claiming that DNPW wants to grab their farm land.
The dispute has halted construction of a perimeter wire on the eastern park side to protect surrounding communities from marauding elephants which destroy crops in the area.
A meeting summoned by DNPW on Friday involving chiefs from the concerned communities with Kasungu District Council officials, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Local Government, Unity ad Culture, the Surveyor General, Ministry of Lands, the police and other stakeholders failed to break the deadlock as chiefs demanded more time before allowing officials to visit the area to authenticate their claims.
Group Village Head (GVH) Kapatuka, accompanied by eight other GVHs from the area, told the meeting that park authorities want to create a new park boundary that would see at least 2,000 households lose their farm land.
He said: “We are not against construction of the fence. We want the fence as soon as possible because every day we are battling elephants that stray out of the park destroying our houses and crop fields.
“What we want is that the fence should pass through the designated boundary so that we don’t lose our land.”
Several other GVHs spoke in agreement with Kapatuka saying they are against the changing of the park boundary.
However, Kasungu National Park Manager, Ndaona Kumanga, refuted the claims of new boundary demarcations.
He said communities in the area have for a long time been cultivating in the land gazette as national park hence the resistance to shift as authorities want to erect a fence.
“We have no intention to continue seeing people fighting with elephants on daily basis because of the absence of the wire. We are trying our best to have this problem solved once and for all but our efforts are being halted community resistance.
“We are not creating new boundaries. We want the fence to pass through the gazette boundaries. We are equally surprised that people claim to have leased the land meant to be inside the park,” said Kumanga.
Gideon Chamatwa, a farmer in the area, claimed he bought the land saying land officers at Kasungu District Council were part of the lease process and authenticated that the land doesn’t belong to the park.
Surveyor General, Masida Mbano, said his team will move in to verify the authenticity of the lease documents that communities claim to have.
District Commissioner for Kasungu, James Kanyangalazi, said he has always worked to resolved resolve the issue but communities have not been cooperative.
“When we got reports that elephants are destroying crops in the area, we rushed there, only to be embarrassed and threatened by the community such that we did not want to go back out of fear,” he said.
Kanyangalazi asked the chiefs to treat the matter with urgency and invite authorities to visit the area.
However, the chiefs have requested for a week more before they communicate the date.
Since 2019, at least 2,783 reports of elephants strays from Kasungu National Park were reported; 697 were recorded in 2023 affecting 17 GVHs.
The problem has been exacerbated by cultivation of crops along the park boundary and inadequate perimeter fencing covering about 90 kilometres, leaving a stretch of at least 40 kilometres open.
Member of Parliament for Kasungu North West, Baudeni Mtonga, said the destruction of crops has resulted in many households facing acute food shortage.
He hopes a lasting solution would be found to have the project completed.
Director for DNPW, Bright Kumchedwa; Deputy Director for Chiefs Administration in the Ministry of Local Government, Culture and Unity, Darwin Mngoli; Commissioner for Eastern Police Region, Rhoda Manjolo and officials from the Attorney General’s office also attended the meeting which was supported by International Fund for Animal Welfare (Ifaw).
