By Joel Phiri

Mzimba, August 14, Mana: Director of Planning and Policy in the Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture, Walusungu Kayira has asked extension workers in Mzimba to help communities formulate Village Action Plans (VAPs) that are in line with Malawi 2063.

Speaking Friday in Mzimba when he closed a four-day training for extension workers on digital village planning process, Kayira said most Malawians are only familiar with construction of school infrastructure, bridges and medical facilities when it comes to developmental projects.

‘‘When you go to villages to facilitate discussions with villagers on what developmental projects should happen in their areas in the next five years, it’s highly likely most of them will tell you they want schools and hospitals.

“It will take your facilitation skills to extract other great development plans from the people they may be oblivious of, such as plans to have farms and industries in their areas. In short, let the plans of the communities should be in line with Malawi 2063 (MW2063,’’ Kayira said.

IM’mbelwa District Council Director of Planning and Development, Walter Chikuni disclosed that district development plans for Mzimba expired in 2022.

Chikuni said, with funding from United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the council is rolling out a village action planning process that will result into VAPs and projects to be carried out in the district in the coming five years.

One of the trainees, Prisca Gondwe hailed the training saying it has helped impart facilitation skills that will be instrumental when carrying out work.

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