By Andrew Phiri
Balaka, March 27, Mana: Natural Resources Justice Network (NRJN) has called upon authorities in the mining sector to be transparent when issuing licenses and awarding contracts to miners saying transparency and accountability will help government to perform better in the Agriculture, Trade and Tourism (ATM) strategy.
NRJN National Coordinator, Kennedy Rashid, made the call Wednesday during an engagement meeting with Balaka District Executive Committee (DEC) members on a new project called, Malawi Anti-corruption Civil Society Support.
The project is meant to advocate for transparency and accountability on mining activities in Balaka.
He observed that through Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), which promotes open and transparent management of mineral resources, Malawi has potential to transform its economy through mining activities happening in Mangochi, Balaka, Kasungu, Karonga and other districts.
“Through EITI and ATM strategy, government has realised that apart from tobacco sales, mining is also another way of boosting revenue hence the need to strengthen collaboration starting from central government, district councils, mining companies and the communities where the actual work is being done.
“We have seen political interference on mining activities and this has become a major cause for various stakeholders to have misunderstandings on issues of financial compensation, social and environmental impacts. We hope this project will advocate for open discussion to address such challenges,” Rashid said.
He, therefore, called on the Mining Regulatory Authority to enforce terms and conditions on mining license holders, observing that in 2024, Balaka District had about 131 medium and small scale miners but only 17 were active.
The ATM strategy focuses on three key sectors in Malawi namely; Agriculture for food security, Tourism for job creation and Mining for wealth generation.
Balaka District Council Director of Planning and Development, Chris Nawata, applauded NRJN for implementing the project saying accountability and transparency on mining activities are a requirement that should help to address social and environmental issues among communities in Balaka.
He, therefore, urged all authorities in the district to collaborate to promote mining activities in Balaka, saying the activities were seen to take the right direction.
Established in 2004 to promote good governance in mining sector, NRJN is implementing a five-year Malawi Anti-corruption Civil Society Support project in Balaka and Kasungu districts with financial support of K112 million from Adam Smith International.
