By Chisomo Kambanganda

Nkhata Bay, July 21, Mana: Nkhata Bay District Commissioner (DC), Rogers Newa says the council is geared to continue with implementation of various interventions on nutrition to improve nutritional statuses of people and reduce cases of malnutrition in the district. 

Newa was speaking on Thursday during a reward ceremony where the council was named as top winner in the Catholic Relief Service (CRS)’s Performance Based Incentives (PBI), a model through which various groups or individuals are being rewarded for star performance in nutrition related activities under AFIKEPO project.   

He said the council will prioritise improving on areas where it scored low and continue to foster coordination amongst nutrition structures.

Newa said: “We are extremely happy to be the top winning council in the competition. We are going to continue encouraging coordination among stakeholder ranging from the community to district structures. I urge everyone involved to continue working as a team for more success and development of the district.”

CRS Country Representative to Malawi, Sekai Mudonhi said as government’s partner in development they decided to implement PBI under AFIKEPO programme as a sustainability strategy.

“CRS is determined to improve people’s nutrition status mainly pregnant and lactating mothers and reduce cases of malnutrition in children. As such the PBI model is intended to promote nutrition related activities and practices within the AFIKEPO project’s catchment area,” she said.

Nkhata Bay District Council was presented with a K60 million cheque for scooping the top position while Karonga District Council which emerged runners up, went away with K40 million cheque. Traditional Authority (T/A) Kabunduli, group village heads, care groups and various households in the district were also recognized for their sterling performances and went home with various prizes. 

Afikepo Performance Based Incentive is being implemented by the CRS in 11 district councils under the AFIKEPO programme in partnership with UNICEF, FAO, Government of Malawi and University of Malawi with support from European Union.