By George Bulombola

Rumphi, February 6, Mana: Chiefs across the country have been advised to refrain from all forms of corruption to enhance unity and peace amongst their subjects for the sake of development at all levels.

The advice was given Monday at Rumphi Boma by Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda, during the elevation ceremony of Sub Tradional Authority (STA) Chapinduka to traditional authority status and installation of STA Njikula.

The minister also elevated Group Village Head (GVH) Chipofya, GVH Chimphamba and GVH Chiwiriwiri to the status of STAs.

Chimwendo Banda said corrupt practices have lead, in many cases, to favoritism in targeting beneficiaries of safety nets initiatives such as Public Works Program, Social Cash Transfer Program and relief food distribution including land allocation.

“Corruption compromises government efforts which are geared at vulnerable households but only a few are reached out with such interventions.

“It is mostly deemed to be a vice at Capital Hill only, yet it starts from village level. I, therefore, advise you to be in the forefront in the fight against corruption,” said Chimwendo Banda.

He added that traditional leaders should also lead in fighting gender based violence which in many cases leads to forced and early marriages thereby depriving young girls from accessing education.

He, therefore, called upon traditional leaders to work with the government of the day and collaborate with Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe, members of parliament in fostering development in the district.

The minister commended Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe for delegating some of his powers to chiefs of under his jurisdiction for easy administration which, he said, attracts the leadership’s respect and trust.

He also advised Rumphi District Council officials to always be on the ground to check any suspected corrupt practice in implementation of government initiatives for the benefit of the intended households.

Paramount Chief Chikulamayembe advised traditional leaders to collaborate with him and work with government.

“Besides stipulated conditions which can make government dismiss you from the throne, I can recommend for your dismissal if you are lazy leaders,” warned Chikulamayembe.

By Kondwani Magombo

Lilongwe, February 6, Mana: World Bank, key financier for the social cash transfer and public works programs, has hinted at an increment on public works wages following concerns that participants of the programs have been raising.

World Bank Program Leader for Human Development, Dr Aneesa Arur, gave the green light on Monday when she visited Nanjili Micro-financing catchment in Traditional Authority (TA) Amidu in Balaka district to appreciate the impact of the social cash transfer and public works programs on people’s lives.

She said World Bank is aware of the concerns that participants of the programs have been raising and that negotiations with the Malawi government on the same are at advanced stage.

"We, absolutely, recognize the issues raised by everyone during the meetings and we've taken it on board; the discussions have been held at technical level and we expect an increase to happen; we're very supportive of that," said the World Bank Program Leader.

She described Malawi as a "very important partner" in the Bank's works, and that issues around climate shocks and economic shocks are really critical to the Bank's partnership with the government of Malawi.

Dr Arur also commended the impact of climate smart agriculture, social cash transfer, and village savings and loans interventions on the livelihoods of the participants, and pledged continued support of the programs.

"We're extremely committed to continuing to support the government of Malawi and the vulnerable people in Malawi by protecting them, building their resilience and human capital," she said.

Director of Social Protection and Poverty Reduction in the Ministry of Finance, Kate Langwe, said Malawi government, too, is aware that the wages that the people are getting through the climate smart enhanced public works program are low.

She said the cash transfer program was revised and that recommendations were made at technical level for wages for climate smart public works to be revised upwards, too.

By Ernest Mfunya

Mangochi, February 6, Mana. Police in Mangochi have re-arrested Nuru Mustafa and Noel Maonga, both 25, for allegedly breaking into St. Augustine 3 Primary School block stealing assorted items such as iPads, mats, charger servers as well as headphones worth K66.5 million.

In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA), Mangochi Police Station Public Relations Officer, Inspector Amina Tepani Daudi, said the incident occurred in the early hours of February 5, within the township.

Tepani said St. Augustine 3 school head teacher reported the matter to police.

"The head teacher found one of the school blocks with learning materials missing including 43 iPads, 43 headsets and charger servers, that were donated by Voluntary Service Organization" said Daudi.

She said police later arrested the two suspects, who were offering for sale some of the items at Chiponde Trading Centre.

"We have recovered 41 iPads, 41 headsets worth K61,500,000. We have also discovered that the two suspects are ex-convicts who were recently released from prison,” she said.

In a separate interview, head teacher for St. Augustine 3 Primary School, Cosmas Chimwanza, expressed sadness over the development, saying that the incident will negatively impact the learning process at the school as the materials were assisting learners to get information as basic computers.

"Unlike in class where learners interact with teachers, the iPads were being used as basic computers, enabling the learners to get information through them," Chimwanza said.

The suspects are expected to appear before court where they will answer charges of breaking into a building and committing a felony there in, contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code.

Mustafa comes from Mtalimanja Village, while Maonga comes from Samama Village, both in Traditional Authority Mponda in Mangochi.

By Rose Cross Mahorya

Mzuzu, February 6, Mana: A taskforce of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) running secondary school bursary schemes in Mzimba has bemoaned lack of proper coordination in the administration of bursaries in the district.

Speaking Monday when the taskforce met with Members of Parliament (MPs) for the district, a representative of the taskforce, James Gondwe, said they have noticed gaps in bursaries including those under Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

He said the taskforce decided to organize the meeting with MPs to discuss ways on how they can better run bursary schemes in the district.

“There has been no proper coordination of efforts in as far as bursaries are being administered such that there have been cases where stakeholders are supporting same beneficiaries.

“This made us come together and come up with harmonised solutions. Since MPs are also administrators of bursary fund at constituency level, we thought it wise to engage them as well,” he said.

MP for Mzimba South, Chambulanyina Jere, appreciated the stakeholders for organizing the interactive meeting.

“I have liked the suggestion of having a harmonised database on those offering bursary schemes in the district so that we avoid issues of giving support to same people or same area.

“During the meeting, there were also suggestions that constituencies should have well structured committees which can be responsible for handling all bursary issues which is a welcome development,” he said.

District Social Welfare Officer for Mzimba South, Bernard Nangwale, said his office will put together all the resolution which will be presented at a full council meeting for adoption.

By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, February 6, Mana: Some communities in the areas of Traditional Authority (TA) Zolokere and Sub TA Chisovya in Rumphi have excavated storm drains and constructed check dams to help fight flooding and enhance farming in their areas.

GVH Kalindamawe in the area of TA Zolokere said in an interview on Monday that the area has always had flooding challenges which have constantly affected farming, leading to food insecurity.

He said villagers, through Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP), started making the drains last year to protect their farm lands from waterlogging and flooding.

"They [drains] have helped with draining water from our farmlands to the rivers which enables us cultivate our fields without challenges. Our harvest has also improved this year," he said.

CS-EPWP Designated Desk Officer for Ng'onga Catchment Area, Lazarus Chilongo, said communities at Beira in the area of STA Chisovya are similarly constructing check dams to protect their farms from being washed away.

"We are also trying to protect Beira Bridge which is a lifeline for people here. It links them to the Boma for trade and healthcare. We are working hard to slow the speed of water through the check dams to protect it," he said.

District Liason Officer for CS-EPWP in Rumphi, Hastings Makonokaya, said tree planting as well as storm drains and check dam’s construction are some of the interventions used in different catchment areas to restore degraded land.

CS-EPWP is Malawi Government Programme under Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods (SSRLP), facilitated by National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) with funding from Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) and the World Bank.

By George Bulombola

Mzuzu, February 6, Mana: Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Richard Chimwendo Banda says it is impressive to see most of the constructors working on government project back on sites after the Kwacha devaluation which lead to price escalation.

Chimwendo Banda was speaking in Mzuzu on Monday after touring construction works of the K17 billion magnificent Mzuzu City Council (MCC) civic Centre.

The Minister was impressed with physical construction progress of the Centre which is at 47 percent with elapse time at 55 percent.

“We could have done better as this project was supposed to be completed by February 2025. Government will do everything possible to sort out issues surrounding projects implementation in the city, including this Centre,” said Chimwendo Banda.

He added that once completed, the Centre will improve the city’s face and diversify the its revenue base as some the office spaces will be rented out to the public.

The Minister advised MCC to properly utilize funds to register remarkable development progression so that the council’s plans and vision are materialized for improved service delivery.

MCC Chief Executive Officer, Gomezgani Nyasulu, commended government for providing K2.3 billion towards the project in the 2023/2024 mid-year budget review.

“Initially, we were provided K800 million out of the K17 billion. We could not do much with this amount. We are pleased that government has also pumped in K2.3 billion. This will accelerate completion of the project.

“We have also been given about K4 billion for grading and maintenance of roads in the city’s unplanned areas which include Mzirawayingwe and Zolozolo,” said Nyasulu.

Nyasulu asked government to consider providing the Council with K11 billion to finish three road projects which are currently under way.

The three road projects of Mzuzu Government Secondary School-Matete- Luwinga- Mzuzu Coffee Office Road, Dunduzu-National Oil Company Road and Luwinga-Choma-Dunduzu, will serve as by pass roads thereby reducing traffic congestion in the city.

By Mary Makhiringa

Balaka, February 6, Mana: World Bank, Program Leader for Human Development in East Africa, Aneesa Arur, on Monday reaffirmed the Bank’s commitment to continue supporting Malawi Government to achieve its development goals.

Arur made the remarks in Balaka during her official visit to Nanjiri catchment where she appreciated a number of environmental restoration activities supported by World Bank and implemented by Balaka District Council.

She said World Bank sees Malawi as a very important partner on issues of climate and economic shocks.

She said such issue are critical to the partnership and needs to be strengthened further.

 “We are extremely committed to supporting the Government of Malawi and the most vulnerable people by building their resilience and allowing them to build their human capital. One priority, going forward, will be to continue building adaptive social protection in Malawi.

“With what I have seen, I am sure that communities will bounce back faster from shocks so that it does not erode their livelihoods and by continuing to make progress towards prosperity reducing poverty and preserving our planet,” she said.

Arur acknowledged impact of climate change on livelihood and appreciated activities implemented under Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programmes (CS-EPWP) in Balaka.

She was encouraged having seen the far reaching impact of the Climate Smart Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) and the impact it has brought on the lives of the communities, on agriculture as well as the future of the children.

“Above all, the biggest impression I have is the spirit of dynamism among all people in Malawi; they are able to see these opportunities, use the money they receive wisely on their children’s education and nutrition as well as use the income they have to build their own businesses and grow the prosperity of their families,” she added.

Meanwhile, Arur has disclosed that plans are already advanced to increase wages of participants of the Social Support for Resilience Programme to meet the current economic hardships in Malawi.

Poverty Reduction and Social Protection Director in the Ministry of Finance, Kettie Longwe, said that wedges are currently under scrutiny so that they are revised further.

“Currently, we have just revised the transfer levels for the Social Cash Transfer Programme beneficiaries, and we already recommended on the revision of wedges for CS-EPWP and soon it will be announced at the higher steering committee to meet this month,” she said.

Balaka District Council Chairperson, Osman Mapira, thanked World Bank for the support it gives to councils in the country saying World Bank funded programmes help people improve livelihoods.

 “Balaka is one dry area; the program is helping harvesting rain water which is increasing agricultural yield to people. Our youth are also being trained in various vocational skills through COMSIP, which is economically helping them,” he said.

In Balaka, 18,200 households are participating in the CS-EPWP by working in 18 micro catchments.

By Elia Chibwe

Lilongwe, February 6, Mana: Germany and Malawi governments have signed a bilateral agreement for a EUR 16 million (about K30 billion) additional financing through KFW to implement reproductive health activities phase III under the N’zatonse Programme.

Speaking during the signing ceremony on Monday, German Ambassador to Malawi Ute Konig said Germany is committed to continue supporting Malawi to increase accessibility of contraceptives to women in rural areas following strides made by Malawi on contraceptive uptake.

“We noticed that women in Malawi are very good in uptake of contraceptives as compared to all Sub Saharan countries. So, we see success of our joint cooperation and that is why we have decided to continue this cooperation with additional funding of EUR 16 billion we are signing today,” Konig said.

She said access and use of contraception has helped Malawi improve women’s health and socio-economic wellbeing.

Minister of Health, Khumbize Kandodo Chiponda, hailed government of Germany for the financial support which, she said, is going to address challenges and issues in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) especially on women and adolescents.

“Let me express our sincere gratitude to the people and government of Germany for the support given to us towards the health sector mainly in SRHR among women and adolescents,” Chiponda said.

She said the funding is going to strengthen provision of services in rural areas where the Ministry is going to work with PSI and some other implementing partners.

Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs, Simplex Chithyola Banda, gave an assurance that government will utilize the resources for its intended purpose.

“There is the need for accountability and transparency in utilization of resources. From now, we want to regain donor confidence that any intervention will be used for the intended purpose.

“The programme will improve the health of young people because they will be able to access sexual reproductive health services and will also assist reduce overpopulation in the country,” said Chithyola Banda said.

Germany, through KFW, has been supporting N’zatonse program since 2013 whose target group includes women and men of reproductive age in hard to reach areas, with a special focus on youth.

Cumulatively, between 2013 until this new phase III, Germany has committed EUR70.5 million towards the N’zatonse programme.