By Linda Kwanjana

Malawi State President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has completed a tour of duty, which he commerced soon after his arrival from China.

Speaking to journalists at Mbewe Headquarters in Chikwawa Home of Paramount Chief Lundu,  where he went to pay a courtesy call, Chakwera described the Lowershire tour as successful.

The president said he has been able to witnes progress in the development activities taking place in the region.

Chakwera hailed people in the region for the worm welcome, which they accorded to the first couple.

Chakwera was happy with the overwhelming response, having visited various developmental projects.

“But I think the highlight has been the fact that for the first time in over four decades, we received fuel through the Beira Corridor, and that is a significant milestone in terms of our developmental agenda, because we want more jobs, creation of wealth, as well as food security, these things cannot happen without the enablement of such things like we have in energy and fuel that fuels that productivity,” he said.

The president said apart from receiving the fuel , he was also able to visit a number of other projects, some completed, others on the way to completion by the end of the year, particularly the major irrigation project, the Shire Valley  Transformation program.

He said if the infrastructure is indeed done by this year, then next year, production can start.

The president said he is committed to production.

He said this valley will never be the same and will impact Malawi to become a productive society, not just a consumptive one.

While in Lowershire , the president ordered Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) to re- open all its depots and flood them with maize so that people, especially elders and children do not die with hunger.