By George Mponda

Karonga, March 31, Mana: Acting District Commissioner for Karonga, Frank Mkandawire, has warned Designated Officers (DO) working under the Climate Smart-Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) against claiming allowances while not working on the ground.

Mkandawire made the sentiments Saturday in Chitipa at the end of a two-day review meeting for the programme’s third cycle attended by members of Karonga District Environment Sub-Committee (DESC) and DOs from 15 catchment areas.

"Officers are supposed to be on the ground supervising the project which aims to reduce risks associated with climate change and other disasters.

“We know that some of you are doing school which is not a bad thing but then you claim allowances for days which you did not work for; you will not receive that,” he said.

He expressed concern that some catchment areas lack supervision leading to shoddy work.

Mkandawire advised the DOs to exhibit firm leadership when dealing with extension workers and participants who are working under CS-EPWP in Karonga.

"We have heard reports that some of you are afraid to direct participants on how to do the work for fear of being bewitched. Leadership has no excuse; you just need to be courteous when dealing with participants and establish good communication channels and you will see the programme flourish in our district," he said.

President for the DOs, Webster Kanyimbo from Nyanja Catchment hailed the meeting for bringing out issues which will facilitate smooth implementation of the programme in Karonga.

"There are a number of issues which need to be addressed like the unavailablity of gadgets for proper documentation and late payments of participants wages which is also affecting the quality of work in the programme," Kanyimbo said.

CS-EPWP is implemented, in Karonga, by the National Local Governance Finance Committee with funding from the World Bank.

Over 13,000 participants are working on interventions which include construction of swales, contour marker ridging, caring for naturally regenerating trees, afforestation and river bank protection.