MANAonline
Centenary Bank supports Pediatrics Trust with K2 million
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, April 13, Mana: Centenary Bank has supported Pediatrics Trust with K2 million to help enhance provision of assistance to children in need of pediatric treatment.
Speaking during the cheque donation in Blantyre on Friday, Centenary Bank Head of Retail, Mayamiko Kalizang'oma, said his Bank decided to provide the support to the Trust as its work complements the Bank's commitment and mission.
“Centenary Bank is honored to give support towards the Trust, a cause that is close to our hearts and aligns with our commitment to supporting the well-being of our community's most vulnerable members especially children.
“The vision of Pediatrics Trust is in line with our mission of transforming lives through inclusive, convenient, simplified and sustainable financial solutions,” Kalizang'oma said.
He added that the donation signifies the Bank's steadfast dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of children in need.
Kalizang’oma said every child deserves access to quality healthcare and support, and through the contribution to the Trust the Bank is taking a meaningful step towards ensuring that its vision becomes a reality.
He said the support to the Trust was made to reflect on the Bank’s core values on corporate social responsibility as they believe in giving back to the community and supporting causes that create a lasting impact.
“As a bank, we are committed to standing with Pediatrics Trust in their mission to provide essential care and resources to children in need of pediatric treatment,” he said.
He, therefore, urged other organizations in the country to join hands with the Trust to support in uplifting and transforming children’s lives.
Pediatrics Trust Administrator, Venancio Kapalamula, appreciated Centenary Bank for the support.
“Our hospital provides surgical services for children and we operate children from all over Malawi among other pediatric treatments and our goal is to provide free services as such we reach out to partners for help.
“For this reason we reached out to Centenary Bank and they responded. The donation will go towards the purchase of medical supplies,” Kapalamula said.
Pediatrics Trust was established in 2017 and has a clinic located at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Blantyre which conducts over 1,000 operations among children per month.
50 percent of camps decommissioned in Nkhotakota
By Innocent Chunga
Nkhotakota, April 13, Mana: Nkhotakota District Council officials have disclosed that 50 percent of camps accommodating people who were affected by the recent flash floods in the areas of Senior Chief Mphonde and Kanyenda in the district have been decommissioned.
The Council’s Acting Disaster and Risk Management Officer, George Zibophe, said victims have been provided with various resources to assist them as they recover in their respective communities.
Zibophe made the remarks on Friday in the district when Old Mutual Blantyre Foundation Trust handed over medical supplies to the district council valued at over K10 million to assist with provision of treatment to people that were affected by floods in the district.
Trustee for Old Mutual Blantyre Foundation Trust, Brenda Mwale, highlighted that their support came in after observing people’s needs in quality health care.
"When we saw the devastation that happened on television, heard on radio and read on social media and in newspapers, we reached out to relevant authorities for guidance on what they needed the most and they guided us on how best to support them," said Mwale.
According to Mwale, Trust has also donated items like clothes to assist survivors after observing that some people had lost everything.
Director of Administration for Nkhotakota District Council, Victor Chithabwa, said the help has come at the right time and has since asked other companies, Non-Governmental Organizations and well-wishers to continue assisting the survivors to return to their respective homes.
According to a report from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), the recent flash floods affected over 14,000 people, displaced over 10,000 and claimed eight lives in the area of Senior Chief Kanyenda in the district.
Local entrepreneur embarks on a tourism project
By Brighton Chimsinde
Mchinji, April 13, Mana: The Ministry of Tourism has expressed satisfaction with the progress of the ongoing construction of the Pumula River View Lodge, a project spearheaded by a local entrepreneur, Levi Nhlane.
The lodge, situated in Mchinji at the Boma, is expected to cost over K300 million.
Ministry of Tourism Public Relations Officer, Joseph Nkosi, said ministry representatives have conducted multiple site visits at the lodge and are highly impressed with the progress and quality of the ongoing works.
"The new lodge in the district is a boost for the local economy, promising job creation, increased government revenue and enhanced infrastructure development, all of which will benefit the surrounding communities," Nkosi said.
Nkosi said Ministry of Tourism applauds and supports such initiatives, eagerly anticipating further advancements within the tourism sector.
Proprietor of the lodge and Director of Malen General Suppliers, Levi Nhlane, explained that the project aligns with Malawi 2063 to bolster the tourism industry.
"The idea for this lodge arose from the observation that Mchinji lacks a modern, high-standard lodge. Upon completion, the lodge will be a standout feature in the district," Nhlane said.
He pledged to collaborate closely with relevant government systems and private partners at both local and national levels to ensure the lodge achieves its envisioned modern standards.
Situated along M12 in Mchinji, the lodge is expected to be completed this year, accommodating up to 30 guests in a conducive environment.
AICC, FARMSE disburse K1.6 billion seed capital
By Steve Chirombo
Dedza, April 13, Mana: About 1,277 households in Dedza and Ntcheu districts can now breathe a sigh of relief following disbursement of K252,500 to each individual as startup capital while some will use it to boost their small-medium businesses under Tatukule Project.
The project is being implemented by African Institute of Corporate Citizenship (AICC) and Financial Access for Rural Markets, Smallholders and Enterprise Programme (FARMSE).
AICC Project Manager, Henry Mlinde, made the remarks Friday during a field visit to some beneficiaries in Dedza.
According to Mlinde, the beneficiaries are vulnerable individuals under the Social Cash Transfer Program (SCTP).
The project targets 2,500 beneficiaries in both Dedza and Ntcheu and the 1,277 is the first batch.
"The program intends to graduate 2,500 vulnerable households. In total they will be getting K505,000. Currently, in the first batch, they are receiving K252,500 with another K252,500 coming their way in the first quarter of second year beginning this May," said Mlinde.
He said the cash will enable the beneficiaries not to solely depend on SCTP as the businesses will also help them graduate from poverty.
He, therefore, appealed to the beneficiaries to use the money for the intended purpose.
The beneficiaries have been mentored and coached for a period of nine months in readiness for the seed capital.
"With that expertise, we are hoping that the money is going to be used for the intended purpose. But we will also continue monitoring them," he said
One of the beneficiaries, Tiadalire Lekiyasi, from Lingaka Village, Traditional Authority (TA) Kachere in Dedza, expressed gratitude to the two organizations with hope that her Irish potato selling business will thrive and be able to provide for her household.
The initiative is being funded by IFAD and Malawi Government through the Ministry of Finance.
Lcc advises youthful employees to uphold integrity
By Moses Nyirenda
Lilongwe, April 13, Mana: Mayor for Lilongwe City, Richard Banda, has advised Lilongwe City Council (LCC) youthful employees to uphold integrity in order to help maintain the Council’s good reputation.
Banda made the remarks at Eden Park in Lilongwe Friday during the Council’s Annual Employee Award ceremony.
The ceremony was done to recognize and celebrate the hard work and dedication of the Council employees throughout the 2023/2024 financial year.
Banda said, among other things, the youthful employees should desist from involving themselves in corrupt practices saying corruption affects the growth of the institution as well as tarnishing its image.
“Corruption affects growth of an institution and also affects its good image. As LCC, we are striving to fight corruption so that resources for the Council should be utilized for its intended purpose,” Banda said.
The Council also appreciated 88 retirees for their years of service and dedication.
The Mayor, therefore, appealed to the Council’s youthful employees to emulate the good example portrayed by the retirees throughout their period of service.
“Many of the retirees got their first job at the Council and have served it for many years which is impressive as they have set a good example,” he said.
In addition to honoring the exceptional employees and retirees, LCC also awarded best performing Primary Schools, best teachers and best students in Lilongwe City based on the 2023 PSLCE performance evaluation.
One of the best students, Walusako Mtambo, applauded LCC for the award saying it would motivate the students to continue working hard to achieve great results.
Minister reiterates commitment to raise funds for SVTP
By Leah Malimbasa
Chikwawa, April 13, Mana: Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, has reassured Malawians that government is working towards raising a US$150 million deficit needed to complete phase 1 of the Shire Valley Transformation Program (SVTP).
Kawale was speaking in Chikwawa after inspecting works at the SVTP site and interacting with members of Kambadwe Cooperative on Friday.
“We visited SVTP site to witness first-hand the progress of the construction. We are aware of the delays which occurred due to the cyclone, but today I’ve seen tremendous progress,” Kawale said.
On concerns over availability of resources, Kawale disclosed that discussions were ongoing with some development partners for the project.
Kawale said the recent passed 2024/2025 budget, resources were allocated for the project and development partners are eager to ensure the programme's completion.
The Minister is optimistic that the vision of having a food-secure nation will become a reality through the SVTP.
Senior Chief Kasisi concurred with Kawale that food security will only be achieved through irrigation farming.
“Currently, we only harvest once a year but once the SVTP project is completed, these cooperatives will be having multiple harvests in a year,” said chief Kasisi.
Secretary for Kambadwe Cooperative, Anne Kholophethe, said the project will transform lives as they already identified markets for the cash crops they will be producing as a cooperative.
“We have been trained on how to run a cooperative and, currently, we have saved K2.8 million to invest in our 294 hectares of land,” said Kholophethe.
After interacting with farmers at Kambadwe Cooperative, the minister visited Nkhate Irrigation Scheme and interacted with farmers under Nkhate Water Users Association and Nkhate Cooperative.
Ambuye nditengeni death toll rises to 10
By Petro Mkandawire
Blantyre, April 13, Mana: Senior Health Promotion and Public Relations Officer for Blantyre District Health Office, Chrissy Banda, has disclosed that the district has recorded 14 cases of people who consumed alcohol known as ‘Ambuye Nditengeni’ whereby 10 are registered dead.
Banda disclosed this Friday at Malawi Sun Hotel in Blantyre during a media engagement aimed at updating the media on disease outbreaks and capacitating them on Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM), a procedure that enables local communities to raise grievances with health facilities and seek redress when they feel aggrieved.
Banda said preliminary findings of all 14 victims, who consumed the alcohol believed to be made from ethanol, are males aged between 22 to 56 years and they consumed it from different local drinking spots in Manase Township, Blantyre.
“The preliminary findings have established that the alcohol has poison in it. We are still waiting for laboratory results which, according to the pathologist, will take two to three weeks to get confirmed.
"Investigations are still underway as there are some recommendations that police and other stakeholders should facilitate mass inspection and closure of drinking spots selling Ambuye Nditengeni widely Known as Magagada,” said Banda.
She added that health education in communities on alcohol abuse, surveillance and issuance of two press releases related to Magagada are some of the interventions that have been done so far.
Banda urged Health Surveillance Assistants and community members to report quickly to Integrated Disease Surveillance and Response coordinator in case of occurrence of new cases.
In a separate interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) Southern Region Police Spokesperson, Joseph Sauka, said police have swung into operation to arrest those selling illicit alcohol, advising imbibers to be responsible when taking as well as choosing alcohol that would not compromise their health.
“As investigations are still underway, currently, some other make shift drinking spots (shabeen) owners have been arrested. We have put measures to counteract the effects of selling such alcoholic drinks. It is the responsibility of every consumer to refrain from non-standardized alcohol to avoid putting lives at risk,” said Sauka.
Kamuzu Barrage is never closed – Kalemba
By Mervin Namikungulu
Machinga, April 13, Mana: Government has assured people of Mangochi and surrounding areas that it is closely monitoring water level situation in Lake Malawi and Shire River through Kamuzu Barrage amid heavy downpour in recent days.
The assurance comes following an appeal from concerned people from Mangochi asking government to consider increasing the volume of water which passes through the barrage as it is believed to contribute to flash floods in the area.
Speaking during a stakeholders meeting on Friday after an inspection tour of the barrage, Commissioner for Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA), Charles Kalemba, said the barrage is managed to control water flow which affects upper stream of Shire River, lakeshore areas and downstream areas of Nsanje and Chikwawa.
Kalemba refuted claims that the barrage is sometimes closed or reduces its capacity to control water flow.
He said: "The barrage operates using an automatic software which is computer based. So, when water levels change, the machines detect and sounds an alarm. It is not true that the barrage is sometimes closed."
Mangochi concerned citizens chairperson, Councilor Wellington Mangulenje, has commended government for timely addressing their concerns.
Mangulenje appealed for collective efforts in conserving the environment to minimize devastating effects of climate change.
Currently, water levels in Lake Malawi and Shire River are said to be at 476.3 mm which is slightly below the 477mm highest recorded water levels.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretaries in the ministries of Lands, Local Government, Natural Resources, Water, representatives from DoDMA, District Commissioners for Mangochi and Machinga, Mangochi concerned grouping as well as district council officials, among others.
Government committed to invest in irrigation farming
By Robert Nayeja
Chikwawa, April 13, Mana: Minister of Agriculture, Sam Kawale, says government is committed to invest more in irrigation farming as one way of ensuring that people have enough food in the country.
Kawale made the remarks on Friday after touring Nkhathe Irrigation Scheme in Chikwawa.
He said his ministry will continue to empower schemes by providing necessary support so that farmers can produce more and make their families food secure.
"Malawi has experienced various natural phenomena such as dry spells and floods. This is a clear indication that, as a country, we cannot rely much on rain fed farming. We need to put much resources in irrigation and provide solutions that irrigation farmers are facing in order to increase productivity," he said.
Kawale said his ministry will provide both technical and material support in order to enhance productivity in irrigation farming.
"We have seen problems that Nkhathe Irrigation Scheme and other schemes in the country are facing. As government, we are committed to take necessary actions so that we can address these challenges as we keep ensuring that irrigation schemes are operating smoothly and contribute positively to social economic development of the community and the nation at large," he said.
Nkhathe Irrigation Scheme Treasurer, Bernad Byone, said the scheme is experiencing low water supply due to the high demand of water for irrigation and has since asked government to intervene.
"Everyone has now discovered that irrigation farming is the way to go especially this time as the country is experiencing dry spell. This has made demand of irrigation farming grow in our area resulting in insufficient water for irrigation," he said.
Byone asked government to provide the scheme with high quality seeds and fertilizer.
The 243 hectare Nkhathe Scheme has 1,506 farmers.
The scheme grows crops such as maize, rice, and sweet potatoes.
Flash floods disrupts health service delivery, business in Nkhata Bay
By Chisomo Kambandanga
Nkhata Bay, April 13, Mana: Heavy rains that started in the wee hours of Friday have caused flash floods at Chintheche in Nkhata Bay, disrupting businesses and health service delivery at Chintheche Rural Hospital.
Confirming the development, Senior Health Promotion Officer for Nkhata Bay District Health Office, Christopher Singini, said service delivery was affected at Chintheche Rural Hospital as water had gushed the facility’s wards.
Singini said flood waters found their way into the wards due to blockage of a drain on the upper side of the facility.
“Equipment has not been damaged, however there are fears of disease infections due to contaminated water that gushed the hospital wards,” he said.
Senior Chief Malanda said the flash floods had rendered some families in the area homeless and feared for the worst as the downpour was continuing at the time of the interview.
He said businesses were also seriously affected, including at the only filling station in the area, where operations were brought to a halt because water had flooded its premises.
“More damage will likely follow because water levels in most rivers are very high,” he said.
Councilor for Chintheche Ward, Spencer Khuni, said there was need for urgent help to the families whose houses were damaged.
Disaster Risk Management Officer for Nkhata Bay, Rachel Kamanga, said her office was aware of the situation, saying they were working hand in hand with local leaders to come up with final assessment report and map way forward.
