Saturday, April 4, 2026
No menu items!
spot_img
Home Blog Page 1081

𝐂hakwera hails Chinese Government for the infrastructure developments built in Malawi

247Malawi
-
0
𝐂hakwera hails Chinese Government for the infrastructure developments built in Malawi

By Linda Kwanjana

Malawi President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, has hailed Chinese Government for significant strides registered in Malawi especially in the area of infrastructure development.

President Chakwera is in Beijing China and upon his arrival he went straight into business by holding bilateral talks with the country’s vice president Han Zheng.

President Chakwera and Chinese Vice President Han Zheng


Zheng also hosted President Chakwera and his delegation to dinner which the President described as a beautiful example of the generous hospitality that China is known for.

President Chakwera expressed gratitude to China for its support of various projects in Malawi facilitated through grants and concessional loans during over the past 15 years of diplomatic relations.

“China has successfully implemented vital infrastructure projects in transportation, education, healthcare, and energy,” said Chakwera citing the dualization of the M1 road from Mchinji Roundabout to Kanengo and the National Fibre Backbone Project II.

“On several occasions, your esteemed nation has offered timely humanitarian assistance in the wake of climate-related disasters, significantly bringing much needed help to Malawians affected by these crises, and for this, we are deeply grateful,” he said.

His Excellency further said the exchange programmes in science, higher education (primarily through scholarships), agriculture, media, and trade have impacted positively in addressing social and economic challenges.

“As we commemorate nearly two decades of our relationship, we affirm our unwavering commitment to deepening our partnership and exploring new opportunities,” said the Malawi leader.

He said Malawi was looking forward to the FOCAC summit because the inclusion of the Belt and Road Initiative on the agenda which emphasizes infrastructure development and regional connectivity and presents an opportunity to bolster support for implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area.

“The establishment of a single African market, a beacon of hope, aligns with the mutual interests of African countries and China, holding the potential to foster global economic development through increased trade and investment flows.

“In light of this, Malawi eagerly seeks to enhance our railway line connectivity with our neighbours to address the high cost of transportation given our landlinked status,” said President Chakwera.

Zheng welcomed President Chakwera to China for the FOCAC Summit and expressed gratitude for his keynote address at the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) held in June of last year.

“Relations between our two countries continue to improve and President Xi Jinping looks forward to further discussing more areas of cooperation with you tomorrow during your meeting,” said Zheng.

The 2024 forum, themed “Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a HighLevel China-Africa Community with a Shared Future,” will serve as a platform to promote mutual cooperation.

Peter Mukhito, new DPP CEO, reaches out to NRB and UNDP on registration database

247Malawi
-
0
Peter Mukhito, new DPP CEO, reaches out to NRB and UNDP on registration database

By Burnett Munthali

In a significant development for Malawi’s political landscape, Peter Mukhito, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), has taken a proactive step towards enhancing electoral transparency and efficiency. Mukhito has reached out to both the National Registration Bureau (NRB) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to discuss the optimization and security of the nation’s voter registration database.

This move comes as part of the DPP’s broader strategy in the lead-up to the 2025 elections, emphasizing the importance of a robust and transparent electoral process. The collaboration with NRB and UNDP is aimed at improving the accuracy and accessibility of voter registration data, ensuring that all eligible citizens are adequately registered and that the electoral process is free from inaccuracies and fraud.

Mukhito

Peter Mukhito’s initiative highlights a commitment to fostering integrity in Malawi’s democratic processes. By engaging with both national and international bodies, the DPP under Mukhito’s leadership is signaling a strong intent to address past concerns related to voter registration and to enhance public confidence in the electoral system.

As Malawi gears up for the 2025 elections, the emphasis on updating and securing the voter registration database could play a crucial role in shaping the electoral landscape. The DPP’s efforts, in collaboration with NRB and UNDP, are expected to pave the way for a more transparent and credible electoral process, aligning with broader democratic values and expectations.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops and as Malawi progresses on the #RoadTo2025.

Government to announce AIP suppliers following PPDA approval

247Malawi
-
0
Government to announce AIP suppliers following PPDA approval

By Burnett Munthali

The Malawian government has announced that the list of suppliers for this year’s Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) will be released once it receives approval from the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA). Government spokesperson Moses Kumkuyu confirmed this development to Zodiak Online, emphasizing the government’s commitment to transparency and due diligence in finalizing the list of approved suppliers.

Kumkuyu provided an update on the fertilizer procurement process, revealing that 85,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer have already been secured and are in stock. Additionally, 133,000 metric tonnes are en route to Malawi from Beira and Nacala, while another 149,000 metric tonnes are currently being transported by sea to Malawi. This substantial inventory underscores the government’s efforts to ensure sufficient supply for the upcoming agricultural season.

Willy Kambwandira, the executive director of the Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT), has expressed expectations that the government will select suppliers capable of meeting the demands of the AIP. Kambwandira emphasized the importance of choosing suppliers with proven capacity to deliver quality inputs efficiently, highlighting the critical role of effective implementation in the success of the AIP.

For the 2023/24 AIP season, the Ministry of Agriculture awarded contracts to 13 companies for the supply of 149,164 metric tonnes of NPK and Urea fertilizer. This past season’s procurement process was noted for its scale and complexity, setting a precedent for this year’s operations.

As the government prepares to announce the approved suppliers, stakeholders, including farmers and agricultural organizations, are keenly awaiting details. The successful delivery and distribution of inputs are crucial for the effectiveness of the AIP, which aims to support agricultural productivity and food security in Malawi.

In conclusion , the forthcoming announcement of AIP suppliers, contingent upon PPDA approval, represents a significant step in ensuring that Malawi’s agricultural sector is well-equipped for the coming season. The government’s efforts to manage fertilizer procurement and distribution effectively will be closely monitored, with expectations for a smooth and transparent process that benefits all stakeholders involved.

DPP to stage major event at Katoto Freedom Park on September 21, 2024

247Malawi
-
0
DPP to stage major event at Katoto Freedom Park on September 21, 2024


By Burnett Munthali

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is set to make a significant political statement on September 21, 2024, with plans to hold a large-scale event at Katoto Freedom Park in Mzuzu. This announcement has generated considerable anticipation and debate across Malawi.

The DPP’s planned invasion of Katoto Freedom Park marks a strategic move by the party to assert its presence in a key political area. The park, which is a popular public space in Mzuzu, will be the venue for what the DPP has billed as a major political gathering. Organizers are preparing for a substantial turnout, with various party activities and demonstrations expected throughout the day.

The choice of Katoto Freedom Park for this event underscores the DPP’s intent to capture the attention of both local and national audiences. The park’s central location and its role as a community hub make it a strategic site for political mobilization. By staging a high-profile event there, the DPP aims to rally support, showcase its organizational strength, and engage with voters ahead of upcoming elections.

The announcement has elicited a range of reactions. Supporters of the DPP view the event as an opportunity to reinforce their political base and demonstrate their readiness for electoral challenges. They anticipate a vibrant and impactful display of party unity and activism.

In contrast, some local residents and political analysts have expressed concerns about the implications of such a large-scale event in a public space. There are worries about potential disruptions to daily life in Mzuzu and the management of public order during the event. Additionally, opposition parties and community leaders may view the DPP’s move as an attempt to dominate the political landscape and could respond with countermeasures.

Local authorities and security forces will play a crucial role in overseeing the event. Ensuring public safety and maintaining order will be key responsibilities for the police and other officials. Coordination between the DPP, local government, and law enforcement will be essential to manage the logistics and address any issues that may arise during the gathering.

The DPP’s planned invasion of Katoto Freedom Park on September 21 is expected to be a pivotal moment in Malawi’s political arena. The event will likely influence public perception of the party and could have implications for the political dynamics in Mzuzu and beyond. As the date approaches, all eyes will be on how the event unfolds and its impact on the broader electoral landscape.

In conclusion , the DPP’s upcoming event at Katoto Freedom Park represents a significant political maneuver as the party gears up for future elections. The large-scale gathering is set to make waves in Malawi’s political scene, highlighting the party’s strategy to consolidate support and assert its influence. The successful execution of the event will be crucial for the DPP’s objectives and for shaping the political discourse in the lead-up to key electoral contests.

Water for People to implement WASH systems for Health project in Dowa

247Malawi
-
0
Water for People to implement WASH systems for Health project in Dowa

By Vincent Gunde

An international organization with a vision of a world where every person has access to reliable water and sanitation services, Water for People, will implement WASH Systems for Health program in 4 districts of the country including Dowa.

The program which will be implemented alongside with partners Ministries responsible for Water in Malawi and Tanzania, IRC Leeds and London School for Hygiene and Tropical medicine will see to it that communities in Chikwawa, Dowa, Kasungu and Lilongwe have access to reliable water and sanitation services.

Kate Harawa-the program has a high learning agenda.

The organization’s Director of Influence and Scale Kate Harawa, said the overall goal of the program is to support the Government to increase access and use of inclusive, reliable and resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in the targeted districts in Malawi.

Harawa said the program has a strong learning agenda focusing on integrating gender equity, wash systems change, building climate resilient WASH services and enhancing the understanding and measurement of WASH Systems change in the districts targeted.
She said for Malawi, the program components are professionalizing rural water supply service delivery systems in Kasungu, Dowa and Chikwawa and enabling district wide safety managed sanitation in Chikwawa and Lilongwe Rural.

The Director said in Dowa, and at National level, there is high political will towards systems change from both technical team and high level (political will) saying President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has already been briefed about the program expressing hope that the program will be a success in the district.

“There is a growing understanding in the Malawi WASH sector and we cannot achieve SDG 6 without working on the systematic challenges in WASH service delivery models which affect sustainability of the infrastructure, we need to have proper maintenance and operational management models,” said Harawa.

She said the program priorities in Malawi include professionalizing rural water supply service delivery systems and enabling area wide safety managed sanitation saying these anticipated pathways of change which will see improved performance of rural and small-town water supply service provision with the required checks and balances.

Harawa said the expected challenges and learning priorities of the program include stimulating political (Parliamentary) level interest in supporting financing the gap (or incentivizing performance of service providers).

She said another challenge is about the processes, knowing that systems change take time, and generally government processes take long with the given project time of 4 years, the processes may need to be expediated and be done with business unusual mood.

The WASH Systems for Health program will be implemented in the six districts of the country supporting WASH systems strengthening implementation with a total budget of 2.5 million Great Britain Pound.

1...1,0801,0811,082...2,278Page 1,081 of 2,278

EDITOR PICKS

POPULAR POSTS

POPULAR CATEGORY

ABOUT US

True and well researched news covering key issues in Malawi and abroad

Contact us: info@247malawi.com

FOLLOW US

© Newspaper WordPress Theme by TagDiv