By Austine Patrice Kachilika

Mzimba, February 19, Mana: M'mbelwa District Council has given its nod of approval to a K49 billion budget for the 2024/2025 fiscal year.

Speaking Saturday during a full council meeting, the council’s finance service committee chairperson, Yolanda Ngwira, said the 2024/2025 financial plan reflects the council's commitment to improving infrastructure, social services and economic opportunities within the district.

“This year’s budget aims at addressing key priorities such as the well-being and progress of the district's residents through community development, agriculture, health, gender and health, among others.

“Recognizing the importance of education and healthcare in driving socio-economic development, the district council has earmarked a significant portion of the budget to go towards construction and renovation of schools and health facilities as well as provision of essential services and equipment,” said Ngwira.

According to Ngwira, 89 percent of the budget will be funded by government, 10 percent will be donor funded while one percent will be generated from local revenue.

Member of Parliament (MP) for Mzimba South, Emmanuel Chambulanyina Jere, hailed the Council for ambitious aspirations in the budgets.

He, therefore, asked the Council to be transparent and accountable in budget utilization.

He said: “M'mbelwa District Council should be committed to fostering transparency through public consultations, regular progress reports and community engagement mechanisms to build trust and ensure that resources are allocated efficiently and equitably.”

Traditional Authority (TA) Kampingo Sibande urged MPs to prioritize development rather than politics in the implementation of earmarked projects.

By Manasse Nyirenda

Rumphi, February 19, Mana: Rumphi District Council has launched investigations into a collapsed ablution block to uncover root causes that will guide it on subsequent actions to take.

The ablution block, containing shower and toilet facilities, which was built to serve patients' guardians at Rumphi District Hospital collapsed on Friday, February 16, 2024.

It was constructed by Chigomezgo and Bongani Investments in 2021 under District Development Fund (DDF) at a cost of K16 million and was handed over in 2022.

Rumphi District Commissioner, Emmanuel Bulukutu, said the Council will take necessary measures to ensure that all facts are known and where laws were broken, appropriate sanctions administered.

He said during procurement of the contractor and subsequent construction of the block, relevant officers gave approval of the processes undertaken and assured all stakeholders that the structure was done according to prescribed standards.

Bulukutu disclosed that auditors from the Auditor General's Office are expected in the district on Monday to assess the structure and produce a report on the same.

"The structure will be audited to ensure it was done according to specifications.

"There were also officers who were responsible for procurement and supervision of the project and where it is established that they did not do their job, necessary sanctions will be applied in consultation with Ministry of Local Government to ensure that government resources are protected," he said.

Bulukutu expressed concern that lack of engineers at the Council is a big challenge that affects public works.

He said they have tried to recruit engineers on a number of occasions but they never report for work once successful.

Rumphi District Council Chairperson, Harry Munyenyembe, said during construction of the project councillors raised concerns with the structure but relevant officers did not listen to them.

He said although the officers, who led the procurement process and supervised the construction of the projects, are no longer based at the Council they can still be sanctioned if it is established that they were at fault.

Civil Society Organizations and community members in Rumphi raised concerns on the quality and cost of the project before it was handed over.

At some point the project attracted the interest of the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) after some people complained.

One of the Senior Managers for Chigomezgo and Bongani Investments, who refused to be named, said the facility was built according to designs and specifications provided by the Council.

By Yamikani Yapuwa

Thyolo, February 19, Mana: Thyolo District Council plans to introduce electronic ticketing system of collecting market fees at the newly opened Goliati Market in the district.

District Commissioner for Thyolo, Hudson Kuphanga, disclosed this Saturday when he toured the newly opened market to appreciate how businesses is faring.

"We want to introduce e-ticketing as one way of maximizing our revenue collection. The current system of manual ticketing is prone to corruption as huge sums of money collected goes into the revenue collectors’ pockets for personal gains other than the Council benefiting," said Kuphanga.

Kuphanga expressed hope that, once the new system is installed, the Council will improve on efficiency, monitoring and reporting.

He was optimistic that the opening of Goliati Market will boost the council’s revenue thereby enabling it to operate swiftly.

"We are excited knowing the Council will collect more money. We will be open to the public on how much we collect and how we use the money," added Kuphanga.

Vice Chairperson for Goliati Market Committee, Felix Tambwali, applauded the Council for its determination to open the market which has been idle since its completion two years ago.

Tambwali said the new market gives a conducive environment for business and has all the sanitation as well as security features.

"We have waste dumping sites as well as good toilets, among others, things that were lacking in our old market," he said.

Goliati Market was constructed with funding from KFW of Germany through More Income and Employment in Rural Areas (MIERA) project to the tune of K400 million.

By Clarabella Chipolonga

Chiradzulu, February 18, Mana: Chiradzulu local based Youthnet Organization, The Determinants, has urged different stakeholders in the country to come up with more initiatives that can promote the welfare of the youths.

Founder and Executive Director for The Determinants, Chikondi Njaya said this on Friday during the launch of Luso Pa Top Project which is a cross impacting project aimed at engaging the youth in creative works and address challenges they face.

"This project has two overall dimensions which are promoting talents for the youth and generating income for our education basket which is intended to carter for needy students who are in universities and secondary schools,” said Njaya.

He said by involving youths in different activities, the project seeks to reduce malpractices that can happen due to idleness.

"Many youths are idle and this is leading to many of them committing suicide due challenges they are facing. The idleness is also dragging them to be involved in transgender sexual relationships which leads to sexually transmitted infections as well as issues to do with gambling.

“Therefore, this project will prevent them from doing such practices because they will be engaged in creative works,” Njaya added.

Council Chairperson for Chiradzulu District, Charles Chigwenembe applauded The Determinants for the initiative saying the project will empower youths and his office is ready to support it.

"My office will fully take part in this very important initiative and I will lobby other stakeholders to come in so that they can reach out to as many youths as possible,” said Chigwenembe.

Among other activities that happened during the launch includes tree planting, panel discussion, dancing competitions among others.

By Margret Praise Kalua

NKhata Bay, February 18, Mana: Nkhata Bay District Council has handed over five market kiosks worth K23 million to business people at Chintheche Trading Centre in the district.

Acting Director of Trade and Commerce for the council, Thanila Gondwe disclosed during the handover ceremony on Friday that the market kiosks were constructed using Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) funds.

Gondwe said the kiosks will not only ease business and access to basic needs for the people of Chintheche, but will also help raise the council's low revenue base.

"The council is trying to create a good business environment for vendors who are currently doing their businesses along the road which is not safe and conducive. As a council we understand that the five Kiosks are not enough but will at least make a difference," he said.

Gondwe also revealed plans to expand the market further by constructing more shops through Constituency Development Fund (CDF).

He however asked Chintheche vending community to not only rely on the council in expanding the market avenue, urging those with capacity to construct shops in line with set standards to come forward and sign a deal with the council.

Senior Group Village Head Msundu commended the council for considering building the market kiosks, saying they will create a good and safe environment for vendors and requested for more infrastructure.

"Chintheche has more vendors who can not be accommodated by the current market structures. It is my plea that additional shops and market sheds be constructed so that all the vendors along the road can move inside the market premises," he said.

Commenting on the development, Chintheche ward councilor, Spencer Khuni asked the council to consider renovating the already existing market shades.

Government to Enable Service Delivery Projects are implemented by councils through National Local Government Finance Committee with funding from World Bank.

By Austine Patrice Kachilika

Mzimba, February 18, Mana: Chairperson for civil society organizations (CSOs) in Mzimba South, Christopher Melele says lack of resources is negatively affecting delivery of school feeding program in the district.

Speaking during a field supervision exercise of the program on Friday, Melele said there is need to find solutions as quickly as possible before many learners drop out of school.

He said: “We have noted that Mtangatanga, Wozi, Kasangazi, Kamwaphimbi, Mathandani and Machelechete primary schools, are generally encountering similar difficulties including lack of food, inadequate resources for cooking and maintaining health and sanitation, for instance, chlorine. There is also lack of training of food handlers.

 “School feeding program provides meals that act as an incentive for parents to send children to school and keep them there. I fear that the trend of school dropouts will skyrocket if the pupils are not incentivized enough to steer their motivation towards education,” he said.

Head Teacher for Kasangazi Primary School, Lloyd Mfune said through community contributions, schools are partially relieved the pressure of sourcing maize, soya beans and groundnuts during the harvesting season, but appealed for more support.

“Despite the help from our surrounding communities in sourcing food and help in food preparation, the food sourced is not enough to last us three terms, as a result, we are forced to stop preparing porridge for the learners,” said Mfune.

Nutrition Officer for M’mbelwa District Council, Gift Simkonda said findings of the inspection will be discussed with relevant stakeholders to map a way forward and find solutions to the problem.

By Andrew Mkonda

Lilongwe, February 18, Mana:  District Commissioner for Lilongwe, Dr. Lawford Palani has assured the people of Area 25 in Traditional Authority Chitukula in the district that the council is committed to resolve an issue on the demolition of illegal structures as soon as possible.

Area 25 block leaders and their subjects wanted to hold vigils on February 21, 2024 at Lilongwe Civic Offices to express their disappointment with some business people who are constructing shops within the grave yard.

haired a stakeholders meeting on Friday aimed at mapping a way forward for the planned vigils, Palani said Lilongwe District and City Councils are working around the clock to resolve the issue amicably by following the rule of law.

“Resorting to holding vigils will not do us good. I want to assure you that we are working tirelessly and following the Law to resolve this issue amicably.

“We will take action very soon and your concerns will be addressed” said Palani.

Lilongwe City Council Director of Planning, Hilary Kamela said the council has now lifted the injunction that was restraining their office to demolish the illegal structures.

“It has been a long journey, but we are committed to enforce the law by demolishing all the structures that were constructed illegally. Our hands were tied-up due to the injunction that was there, but now we are free to enforce the law,” he said.

However, Kamala expressed disappointment by some business people who are failing to understand that any building structure in the city and even in the district set-up has to follow the development plans of the council.

Let us change our mind-set, it is against our cultural values to construct structures within a grave yard. Once buildings have been demolished by the council, that should be a strong message to intelligent people,” he said.

Speaking in an interview on condition of anonymity, one of the block leaders expressed satisfaction with the resolution of the stakeholders meeting and promised to maintain peace and order in the area as they are waiting for the demolition of the illegal shops.

By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, February 17, Mana: At least 129 youths in the area of Traditional Authority (TA) Khosolo in Mzimba on Friday graduated in various vocational trades after completing a three months mobile training programme under Technical, Entrepreneurial and Vocational Education and Training (TEVET).

Speaking at the graduation ceremony held at Kanjuchi Community Day Secondary School in the district, Inkosi Khosolo appealed to the graduates to put the skills learned to better use.

“The skills should enable you embark on various income generating activities. You should apply such skills by starting various businesses and secure jobs in your various areas of expertise,” Khosolo said.

Inkosi Khosolo appealed to TEVET Authority to scale up mobile training to more youths saying the 129 graduates represent a small number of youths who are looking for such training opportunities in Khosolo, Kanjuchi and other areas.

TEVETA Director of Training Programmes, Modesto Gomani, said the Authority will continue with the mobile training programmes to ensure more youths, who live in far flung areas of the county, are offered an opportunity to train and hone vocational skills that would enable them earn a living.

Two young ladies with disabilities, Dorothy Banda and Dinah Banda, graduated in tailoring.

Gomani said TEVETA is promoting positive discrimination to promote people with disabilities.

M’mbelwa District Council Acting Director of Trade, Chimwemwe Sichinga-Kumwenda, expressed hope that the trained youths will remain in the country and use the vocational skills to develop their district.

“More youths are jobless because they lack skills. Vocational skills are good because they enable one to employ themselves which we hope these youths will do,” Sichinga said.

One of the graduates, Esnart Shaba, described the training as worthwhile saying she was loafing at home because she could not enrol in a college after completing secondary school education in 2021.

The graduates were trained in bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, cosmetology, edible horticulture and motor vehicle mechanics, among other trades.