By Leah Malimbasa

Chikwawa, April 11, Mana: Chairperson for Parliamentary Committee on Budget and Finance, Gladys Ganda, has said Shire Valley Transformation Project (SVTP) has potential to improve the economy of this country.

Ganda was speaking during the committee's supervisory visit to SVTP site in Chikwawa district on Thursday.

Ganda highlighted the project's alignment with President Lazarus Chakwera's vision to increase investments in agriculture, tourism, and mining as outlined in the State of the Nation Address.

“As the Budget and Finance Committee, our focus now is to collaborate with the Ministry of Finance to expedite this project. Accelerating this project will address foreign exchange challenges and reduce our dependence on imports, ultimately boosting our national energy levels,” said Ganda.

The Chairperson further underscored the importance of timely allocation and utilization of funds to ensure the project's successful completion within the projected timeline of seven years.

She then added that the benefits of the project would extend to all Malawians, emphasizing its broader impact beyond individual sectors or regions.

“This project is not just for our country; it is for every Malawian. It is important therefore to support it adequately and reap its full benefits,” she added.

In his remarks, SVTP Project Coordinator Stanley Khaila said the project is progressing well despite facing challenges.

“Despite Cyclone Ana setback, our progress stands at 63 percent, indicating significant strides in Phase 1.

“We anticipate completing this 1st phase by May 2025, although a couple of months’ delay is a realistic expectation, given the circumstances,” he said.

He added: “We need an additional 150 million dollars to overcome Cyclone Ana's impact and also to ensure that the first two farms commence irrigation by 2025.”

After inspecting the project, the committee visited Mwanaalirenji Cooperative, one of the cooperatives expected to benefit from the SVTP, where they interacted with members of the cooperative.

By Bishop Witmos

Mangochi, April 11, Mana: Minister of Mining Monica Chang’anamuno has urged district councils in the country to support her ministry in regulating the mining industry to arrest illegal mining, which she said is rampant in the country.

Speaking during an awareness meeting with members of Mangochi District Council and Mangochi Municipal Council on Wednesday, Chang’anamuno observed that some foreigners were operating small-scale mining in the country without authorization.

The minister said illegal mining benefits foreigners at the expense of local people who, by virtue of being Malawians, were supposed to be benefitting from the mining industry.

She said that while government is in the process of devolving Ministry of Mining to local councils, it is the duty of relevant sectors in district councils to take a leading role in preventing illegal mining and mineral trade.

“We have established that there has been a tendency of people coming from outside the country to do mining and some of them come here without licenses.

“As a result, so many foreigners are doing small-scale mining by extracting minerals in hotspot districts. This is illegal because it is only local people who are supposed to do small-scale mining,” she said.

Added Chang’anamuno: “Therefore, we would want district councils to be vigilant in making sure that they are following up on the issues that are happening in the hotspot areas. As a ministry, we cannot do this work on our own, and we would want every sector at district council to take their role.”

She further said that some investors are taking advantage of ignorance of local people on pricing by buying minerals at give-away prices.

Chang’anamuno therefore said that government will within this financial year establish a mining authority to bring sanity in the mining industry.

In his remarks, District Commissioner for Mangochi, Smart Gwedemula, commended the minister for the awareness meeting, saying it was timely.

“The coming of the minister is timely, as in Mangochi we have had so many concerns regarding the way mining activities have been operated. Indeed, mining activities must be owned by everybody, including those in rural areas, in order for us to benefit from these natural resources,” said Gwedemula.

Before visiting Mangochi, the minister toured Zomba where she ordered that illegal mining in Traditional Authority Mbiza should stop after observing the extent of land degradation and many social ills associated with the illegal mining in the area.

By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, April 11, Mana: Medical Assistant for Vibangalala Dispensary in Mzimba South, Wisdom Nyirenda, has described construction of Vibangalala Maternity Wing in the area of Traditional Authority (T/A) Mzukuzuku as a solution to challenges of safe motherhood expectant women face in the area.

Speaking in an interview on Wednesday during a media tour of the area, Nyirongo said the wing, which M’mbelwa District Council has constructed using funds from the Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD), will help cut costs and medical expenses families used to incur to travel to other medical facilities to access help.

‘‘Here at Vibangalala dispensary, we only run outpatient department as well as antenatal clinic. But, when it comes to delivery, we refer expectant women to other medical facilities such as Embangweni Mission or Mzimba District Hospital.

“While at Embangweni Mission Hospital people pay to access services, services are free of charge at Mzimba District Hospital but they have to foot costs for the travel. So for expectant women around the area, the construction of the Vibangalala maternity wing will help lessen those challenges as we will be helping them right here,’’ said Nyirenda.

He said over 15 expectant women come for antenatal services at the dispensary per week.

Grace Jere from Chimombo Jere Village in T/A Mzukuzuku said it has been costly to deliver in far-flung areas.

‘‘Because of the absence of a maternity wing in the area, most women deliver in other facilities located far away. Two of my kids were delivered at Embangweni Mission Hospital. So the construction of this wing will help cut costs associated with delivering in other hospitals located far off,’’ said Jere.

According to Emmanuel Nkuna, who lives in Andrea Village in the area, there is need to ensure the maternity wing, completed in 2023, is opened.

In a recent interview, M’mbelwa District Council chairperson Morgan Tembo said the council would look for funds to furnish the maternity wing with all necessities for it to open this year.

Speaking on Monday during a review meeting of GESD projects, M’mbelwa Council director of planning and development, Walter Chikuni, said the council will use part of GESD funding that the council has received for the 2023/2024 cycle to buy materials needed for all completed projects under GESD Cycles 2 to be operational.

GESD is a US$100 million World Bank project meant to strengthen district councils’ institutional performance, responsiveness to citizens, and management of resources for service delivery.

By Innocent Chunga & Wongani Mkandawire

Nkhotakota, April 11, Mana: In an effort to protect and address the effects of climate change, Nkhotakota District Council has committed to continue providing technical support in the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CSEPWP) for smooth implementation of the project in the district.

Speaking after a catchment supervision visit of the programme in the areas of Senior Chiefs Mwansambo, Mphonde and Mwadzama on Wednesday, Desk Officer for CSEPWP in the district, Arthur Chiwayula, said the project aimed at addressing climate change, environmental degradation and sustainable development to communities in the district and so needs expert technical support.

Chiwayula said beneficiaries in the district are conserving soil and water resources through various activities which are being implemented to achieve the project's goals, such as making swale and tree planting, among others.

“We will continue to assist target beneficiaries in the district, as the structures have helped them to restore their land and improve yields as these projects reduce soil erosion in some parts in the district," said Chiwayula.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency, Agriculture Extension and Development Officer (AEDO) for Mwansambo Extension Area (EPA), Grace Phiri, said before introduction of the programme, her catchment area was affected by running water, leading to low yield of crops as well as degraded soil fertility in the area.

“Our beneficiaries here have seen improvements in yields in all catchment areas as these projects reduce soil erosion, helped communities in protecting natural resources and adopt climate smart agricultural techniques,” said Phiri.

Chairperson for Thanga Catchment Management Committee (CMC) in the area of Senior Chief Mwansambo, Stanley Benjamin, has since asked for more support from officials, as the project continues in its third cycle, to teach them to incorporate environmental conservation technologies in addressing challenges related to climate change.

“We are doing various activities here at Thanga, including planting trees and making swales to control surface run-off and the programme has helped us a lot in improving soil fertility,” he said.

Another beneficiary, a member of the Mandowa sub-catchment area, said government should continue supporting the project to vulnerable communities, citing that it is enhancing lives of people in the area.

The multi-billion kwacha programme is a component of the Social Support for Resilient Livelihood Programme (SSRLP), a Government project implemented through the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) and funded by the World Bank and the Social Protection Multi-Donor Trust Fund.

By Patricia Kapulula

Salima, April 10, Mana: Challenges such as inadequate access to inputs such as seed has hindered the potential of cotton production in Malawi, as well as Southern Africa, making farmers shun growing the crop.

Department of Crop Development Deputy Director, Martin John Gausi, made the remarks in Salima on Tuesday during a field day on cotton seed multiplication.

He expressed concern that cotton production hactarage is going down as there are less farmers in the field hence the need for partnerships so that farmers can access inputs at affordable prices.

“In the cotton sector, one of the challenges is availability of seed. Mostly, farmers access hybrid seed which is imported from India and is expensive. So the field day showcased alternative seed varieties such as OPV which farmers can also buy and grow the crop,” he said.

He said in the uncertainty future of tobacco amid the global anti-smoking initiatives, cotton emerges promising to meet both local demand and contribute to export earnings.

Regional Head of Programmes for Solidaridad Southern Africa, Humprey Nxumalo concurred with Gausi saying issues of access to seed is very crucial in as far cotton is concerned.

He said in order to increase production, his organization has partnered with Cotton Council of Malawi, Masapa and Kvuno to establish seed that can be available to farmers at an affordable price.

Regional Operations Lead for Kvuno, Lydia Banda, described partnerships as important to enhance seed availability among smallholder farmers.

“Kvuno supports seed multiplication to ensure that farmers are accessing it at affordable prices as well providing alternative solutions to purchasing the seed such as loans and credit schemes,” she said.

The field day, which was held under the theme ‘Fair and Sustainable Cultivation of Cotton for all’ was done to celebrate OPV cotton varieties and demonstrate recommended agronomic practices.

By Fostina Mkandawire

Salima, April 10, Mana: Salima Sugar Company Limited Tuesday revealed that it has recruited 2,500 seasonal workers to necessitate smooth operation when it commences production of sugar on April, 16,2024, after closing in November 2023.

The development was revealed at Salima Sugar Company premises during the official handover of a small-scale farm to Salima Sugar Company as an operator and the signing of a management agreement between the company and Lingadzi Cooperative in Salima district.

Greenbelt Authority Board Chairperson, Wester Kosamu said at the moment the company has been undergoing reformatory processes after termination of its contract with Aum Sugar Co. Ltd.

"We want this company to benefit Malawians unlike in the past, we are changing how business was run, to produce a commodity that will be available across the country and should be well known on the market," he said.

Kosamu said they have issued distributorship licenses to eligible business people to start distribution of the commodity soon after production commences.

He said in the past there was widespread concerns about availability of sugar produced in Salima on the market therefore they have taken strategic steps to ensure that once production commences the commodity would be available across the country.

"Distributorship contracts are a key strategy aimed at ensuring that the country has a sufficient supply of sugar and effectively addressing the ongoing sugar crisis," the Chairperson said.

He added: "We anticipate more than 200 small-scale sugarcane farmers under Lingadzi Cooperative to get more profits from their farming activities based on the fact that they will now have the opportunity to negotiate the sale prices of their sugarcane with the company."

Senior Chief Khombedza said prioritizing local communities would assist in bringing sanity in his area and instill a spirit of ownership in surrounding communities not to destroy the farm or encroach the land.

"There was growing tension between surrounding communities because they were not benefitting as anticipated from the company therefore they were becoming violent at times, the farmers lacked the chance to negotiate sugarcane prices as a result getting prices below their expectation," he disclosed.

Lingadzi Cooperative Chairperson, Yohane Msalira said members of the cooperative could now look forward to better negotiated prices for their sugarcane, leading to improved financial prospects and livelihoods.

With a landholding of around 500 hectares, Lingadzi Cooperative aims to make a significant contribution to Salima Sugar Company's production activities.

By Chisomo Kambandanga

NKhata Bay, April 10, Mana: District Commissioner (DC) For Nkhata Bay, Rodgers Newa has indicted that the expansion of District’s Council Chamber would promote transparency and accountability as it would allow more people to attend full council meetings.

He said this Wednesday after supervising the K149 million construction project, being implemented with finances from District Development Fund (DDF).

“The Council Chamber is an important infrastructure that is supposed to be a hub for decision making at the council hence it must be befitting for that purpose. The Chamber that was being used was basically in an old state and small in size.

“In the spirit of transparency and accountability, it is a requirement that the Chamber has to accommodate even the interested citizens apart from the councilors, members of parliament and Traditional Authorities," Newa said.

He said he was impressed with the quality of work, adding that with progress taking place and was optimistic that the project would be completed even before the contractual period of 120 days.  

Chairperson for Nkhata Bay District Council, Osman Charge Phiri said all full council members are excited with the upcoming structure because it would give them respect and value during deliberations apart from changing the face of the council.

He urged all stakeholders to work together in intensifying monitoring and supervision up to the time when the project would be handed over.

Chairperson for Civil Society Organizations in Nkhata Bay, Michael Mwenechawa commended the council for the project, saying it would not only benefit full council members but also be used for other activities happening at the council.

According to Acting Director of Public Works, George Gopani, the renovated council Chamber would have a capacity of 60 people as it has been doubled to the previous one.

By Memory Chatonda

Blantyre, April 10, Mana: Beneficiaries of Emergency Urban Cash Transfer Intervention (Mtukula Pakhomo WA Mmizinda) in Blantyre have hailed government for providing them with cash transfers to aalleviate immediate economic hardships they face in day to day life as each of the 43,355 beneficiaries received K150, 000 this week.

One of the beneficiaries, Agness Nthambala from Ndirande Township told Malawi News Agency (Mana) on Wednesday that with K150, 000 received under the intervention, she intends to boost her business capital on top of investing part of it in Village Savings and Loan (VSL) group.

“I run a grocery shop to support my three children with food and other basic necessities but currently, the shop is almost empty because I could not afford to raise enough money to restock the shop amidst devaluation. I am glad that I have received K150, 000 from government which will go a long way in supporting my business and I am grateful for the assistance,” she said.

Another beneficiary, Wilson Nedi from Zingwangwa Township said was determined to use the money to contribute to recapitalisation of his hardware business in Limbe market which was affected by the prices shock.

“Besides, I will use the money to purchase food and related basic necessities at my home as one way of creating resilience in the face of price shock that arose from the devaluation,” he said

National Local Government Finance Committee, Shock Sensitive Specialist and Scalable Mechanism Coordinator, Mulder Mkutumula said he was glad that beneficiaries plan to invest the money in small income generating activities to support their families.

“It is imperative that the beneficiaries understand that they need to use the funds very well as we just had El-Nino and this year we may have some food insecurity. They can invest it by joining the Community Savings Investment Promotion (COMSIP) groups like VSL in order to save more money,” he said.

According to Mkutumula, as of Monday this week at total of K6.7 billion had been disbursed through TNM to 43,335 beneficiaries in Blantyre city, with each receiving K150, 000.

Deputy Director of Social Welfare in the Ministry of Gender, Laurent Kansinjiro said was satisfied with the intervention expressing optimism that it would go a long way to create resilience in communities at a time they are facing hardships including hunger.

The K15.7 billon intervention which is under the Malawi Social Protection Support Programme targets 105,000 households in Blantyre, Lilongwe, Mzuzu and Zomba cities and is funded by World Bank and Malawi Social Protection Multi donor Trust fund.