By Innocent Chunga

Member of Parliament for Nkhotakota North Constituency Henry Chimunthu Banda, has called on Government to consider bailing out business operators who lost their property due to floods at Dwangwa in the district.

The Parliamentarian made the remarks on Monday after distributing assorted food and non-food items to the recent flood survivors who are in camps in his constituency including Dwangwa, Mtupi Primary School, and Nkhunga Community Day Secondary School.

Chimunthu Banda highlighted that some people who are in various camps around Senior Chief Kanyenda were operating large businesses, adding that the government should consider such people through initiatives such as the provision of loans through the National Economic and Employment Fund (NEEF).

“Some flood survivors at Dwangwa were operating large businesses such as garages, restaurants, lodges, and Bars which have been damaged and the government should consider them because they have lost millions of kwachas,” said Chimunthu Banda.

Banda said plans are underway to construct temporary camps in the area with support from various stakeholders.

In her remarks, Group Village Head Woman Mgwinthi hailed the support from the parliamentarian saying it will assist people who are in great need in her area.

Chief Disaster Preparedness Officer from the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) Natasha Bengo said people who have completely lost their households in the district due to floods will be allocated new land as their permanent place of residence is no longer suitable for settlement.

According to a report from DoDMA, over 14,000 people have been affected and about 8,000 have been displaced by water in the areas of Senior Chief Kanyenda, Mphonde and Traditional Authority Malengachanzi claiming 6 lives so far with two more reported missing.