By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, July 23, 2023: National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) has advised communities across the country to own projects under the Climate Smart Public Works (CSPW) Programme to ensure sustainability of the programme’s gains.

NLGFC Social Development Officer, Mateso Kazembe made the call Saturday in Mzuzu when he closed a two-day refresher training for Nkhata Bay extension workers on how to address challenges that were realised in the first phase of the project.

"The programme focuses on land resource and forestry conservation to improve soil fertility as we respond to effects of climate change.

This intervention will go a long way in addressing issues of food security, hence they need to embrace the interventions even after the expiry of program’s period,” said Kazembe.

He however said that government has put deliberate measures to sustain the interventions through the introduction of a ten day unpaid for service every month.

In his remarks District Commissioner for Nkhata Bay, Rogers Newa, said the training was a timely intervention in mitigating potential challenges in the implementation of the program.

"We are therefore, advise the extension workers to share their knowledge which they have gained during the training with all players on the grass roots for quality work." Newa said.

One of the trainees, Loveness Kamtema who is an extension worker for Kavuzi Catchment Area, hailed NLGFC for organising the training which he said will lead to improved output in the second phase of CSPWP.

“We will take the message players at grass roots level for the betterment of the communities, the district and the country as a whole,” said Kamtema.

The program is being implemented by Malawi Government through NLGFC with funding from the World Bank.