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Nkhata Bay District Council approves K8 billion budget
By Margret Praise Kalua
Nkhata Bay, February 7, Mana: Nkhata Bay District Council on Tuesday approved a proposed K8 billion annual budget for the 2024/2025 financial year.
Presenting the budget at a Full Council meeting, Chairperson for the Council’s Finance Committee, Acran Chenya said the budgeted K8,079,606,103 billion, will be sourced from central government transfers, developmental partners as well as from locally generated revenue.
He said a large sum of money amounting to K1,378,463,975 billion in excess of over K5,000,000 million compared to that of 2023/2024 budget has been allocated to the health sector.
“Among the projected programmes in the budget are construction, renovation and furnishing of healthy facilities and construction of Usisya police Unit which are crucial in the district at present,” he said.
He also disclosed that there would be an average of 30 percent upward adjustments in all the councils’ licenses, fees and permits in the 2024/2025 fiscal year as compared to the current ones following the 44 percent devaluation of kwacha.
Speaking in an interview after the approval of the budget, Director of Planning and Development (DPD) for Nkhata Bay district, Edgar Chihana said the 2024/2025 budget is enough to cover all council’s operations, adding that some funds such as Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) and District Development Fund (DDF) have been topped up.
Chihana pointed out that the council will take all precautionary measures before implementation of any project to be assured of the outcomes of whatever is being implemented to prevent faults and losses.
He said: “The council will also keep on empowering the local structures to take a leading role in monitoring the projects happening in their respective areas with a follow up and technical support from the council in order to come up with projects which are tangible.”
Commenting of the development, Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkhata Bay North West Constituency, Julius Chione Mwase commended the council for approving the budget and thanked the finance committee for an even distribution of funds across the district saying it brings uniformity.
Traditional leader urges children to be proactive on issues of climate justice
By Yamikani Yapuwa
Thyolo, February 7, Mana: Traditional Authority (TA) January of Thyolo district has urged learners in his area to be on the forefront in championing issues of climate justice as the district intends to plant 1,5 million trees in the current forestry season.
The traditional leader made the call on Tuesday during the launch of a tree planting season for this year, saying that the future of the country lies in the youths.
January said there was need for the learners to be environmental conscious and start taking environmental conservation seriously.
"The future of this country is in the hands of these children and it is very important for them to start taking issues of climate justice seriously now.
"We are adults and our time is slowly passing. If they start now, we know that they will not face the challenges that we are facing now like dry spells, floods and the like," said the TA. Traditional
He said Thyolo was affected by a lot of issues to do with human induced environmental degradation as a result of deforestation and pledged to mobilise his subjects to start taking good care of the trees to address some of the challenges associated with environmental degradation.
"We have been experiencing dry spells due to the fact that we do not have trees. People are also stealing trees from companies creating problems between communities and companies," he said.
District Commissioner for Thyolo, Hudson Kuphanga asked the communities to take care of the trees being planted to increase their chance of survival.
"Currently, we are not receiving rains so the communities need to team up to water the trees. On top of that, they should guard the trees jealously," said Kuphanga.
District Forest Officer for Thyolo, Mirriam Yona said a total of 1.5 million trees will be planted in the district during this forestry season.
"Apart from community members, we have also encouraged learners in all schools in the district as well as estates to help us plant trees to reach the target," said Yona.
Zomba District Council approves K37 Billion 2024/25/budget
By Solister Mogha
Zomba, February 7, Mana: Zomba District Council on Tuesday approved a K37.1 Billion budget for the 2024 /2025 financial year.
Of the total, K27.5 Million has been allocated for personal emoluments, K255 Million for District Development Fund(DDF), K900 Million for Constituency Development Fund(CDF) and K108 Million for water fund.
The council has also set aside K1.4 Billion for the rehabilitation of health facilities, K2.4 billion as Other Recurrent Transactions (ORT) and K1.8 Billion as GESD funds.
Speaking after the approval, Chairperson for Zomba district council, Baster Chirwa said the expectation of each member of the council and the people of Zomba is that the budget will address some of their needs while fostering development.
Chirwa said the 2024/2025 budget has included crucial projects such as completion of health clinics, construction of school blocks and market shades, things that will directly improve people’s lives.
"This is a citizen budget and there is a lot that we expect from it. Among others, we expect to see sustainable food security and steady income at household level," said Chirwa.
District Commissioner (DC), Reinghard Chavula said the aim of the 2024/ 2025 budget is to ensure that the objectives of the council are achieved.
Among others, Chavula said the budget seeks to improve accessibility of essential services and mobility through accelerated infrastructure development.
Chavula also said the budget will likely enhance social economic lives of the people through improved access to quality health care and sustainable alternative livelihoods.
"The budget has included all funds that the district expects to get including that of projects and it is our expectation that the aspirations and wishes of people of Zomba would be achieved” he said.
He however said the council has prioritized the completion of all projects whose construction works are underway or stalled before starting new ones
Member of Parliament for Zomba Chingale Constituency, Loney Chijele expressed satisfaction with the budget, observing it will directly benefit the people of Zomba.
Local authorities worry over the state of schools in Bwanje South Constituency
By Maston Kaiya
Ntcheu, February 6, Mana: Local leaders in the area of Sub Traditional Authority (STA) Mkutumula in Ntcheu have expressed concern over inadequate learning materials and poor infrastructures in Chigumukire and Mapondera primary schools in Bwanje South constituency.
Speaking Monday when Bwanje South legislator, Alexander Chilikumtima, toured the two schools to appreciate challenges learners are facing in his area, a representative of STA Mkutumula said at Chigumukile Junior Primary School, two classes learn under grass thatched classroom while the other three use a community improvised structure or under the shade of a tree.
“It is our wish for primary schools to produce educated people for development in this area but infrastructure remains a challenge to the provision of quality education,” he said.
The representative added that three teachers are resident at Mapondera School while the rest are living in rented houses in surrounding villages.
Mkutumula Area Development Committee (ADC) Chairperson, Gregory Chafanji, said the community contributed sand and bricks for the construction of one classroom block which was initially destroyed by cyclone Freddy.
He said Chigumukile Junior Primary School, which was opened in 1994, had classes from standard one to seven but instead of upgrading, the school has been downgrading to standard five.
Grace Mtambo, the only female teacher out of five at Chigumukire School, said she travels about 15 kilometres since the school has only two teachers houses which are occupied by the head teacher and his deputy.
"The challenges are many and the school is still a junior primary. There is shortage of classrooms and inadequate teacher houses and when it rains, classes are disrupted and teachers who live far away fail to report for duties," said Mtambo.
Deputy Headteacher for Chigumulire School, Christopher Kabango, said with inadequate teacher houses, teachers fail to plan for their work accordingly due to long distances.
Bwanje South Legislator, Alexander Chilikumtima, said he has tirelessly raised the issue in the August House but to no avail.
"The problems at both schools are beyond the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) which is not enough. What we need is intervention from the central government and other well-wishers," said Chilikumtima.
Chiefs cautioned against corruption
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.
World Bank hints at public works wages increment
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.
2 ex-convicts re-arrested as police recover stolen items worth K61.5 million
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.
Mzimba NGOs court MPs on bursary schemes
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.
Stakeholders urged to develop safe, inclusive digital agenda for children
By Sellah Singini
Lilongwe, February 6, Mana: The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) has called upon all stakeholders in Malawi to scale up efforts by connecting through a truly global alliance to develop an empowering, safe and inclusive digital agenda for children.
MACRA Director General, Daud Suleiman, said this at Bingu international Convention Center (BICC) in Lilongwe on Tuesday during the commemoration of Safer Internet Day which falls on 6th February every year.
Suleman said, this year’s theme Inspiring Change? Making a Difference, Managing
Influence and Navigating Change Online aims at enhancing digital literacy and good cyber hygiene, equipping children and young people with the skills, placing children and young people’s voices at the heart and encouraging them to shape the online safety support that they receive.
“Digital literacy is an entitlement for all young people in this increasingly digital culture and this cyber hygiene will definitely equip children with the right tools and information to navigate the digital space safely and securely,” Suleman said.
He said, this year’s theme tackles young people’s perspective on new and emerging technology, how young people can use the internet to make changes for the better, the changes young people want to see online and the things that can influence and change the way young people think, feel and act online and offline.
“Every half a second, every day, a child goes online for the first time tapping into all the great opportunities the internet has to offer but also facing grave risks. It is a call for all of us to protect them from sexual exploitation, cyber bullying and the misuse of their private information,” he added.
Suleman further said, MACRA developed a National Child Online Protection Strategy 2023 to 2028 with an overall goal of providing a safe cyberspace and prevent all
potential threats and harms that children encounter online and respond to
those affected.
The strategy ensures that all children in Malawi are safe and empowered in the digital environment while providing a safe, secure, adaptable, child-friendly and inclusive digital environment.
Malawi police Service Head of Digital Forensics and Cyber Crimes Unit, Senior Superintendent Gladwell Kubwalo, said Malawi Police receives a lot of cases of cybercrimes targeting the youths, mostly young ladies.
He said, as police, they are doing a lot of sensitisation campaigns to young ladies oh how they can stay safe online.
Rumphi communities fight flooding, gully formation
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.
