The National Oil Company of Malawi( NOCMA) says so far, 224 out of the 300 fuel tankers have arrived in the country to stabilize fuel availability since the commodity began going scarce in the country.
The company’s Deputy Chief Executive Officer Hellen Buluma disclosed this on Satursay 24,2022 when NOCMA and Reserve Bank of Malawi officials appeared before the Joint Parliamentary Committee that was inquiring into the fuel situation issue.
Buluma further revealed that other 22 tankers are on their way to Malawi raising hopes the fuel scarcity situation may normalize.
On his side, the Reserve Bank Governor, Wilson Banda agreed that the bank has no enough forex but are trying to ensure that areas requiring the forex such as fuel and medicine are assisted accordingly.
He further faulted debt servicing as another area draining forex; saying Malawi has expensive debts which are serviced in dollars.
Co-Chairperson of the Joint Parliamentary Committee, Wellan Chilenga said they will meet the Ministry of Finance and the RBM officials to devise short-term solutions to the problem.
He further called on Malawians to stop blaming politics for the forex shortage; arguing the situation is because of the huge expensive debts which are costing the country more money in paying back in dollars.
For close to a month now, Malawians have been facing challenges in purchasing fuel, a situation that has seen some vendors taking advantage of the development to sell the scarce commodity at higher prices.
It was a gathering that has never been in Tukombo, people from various villages flocked to Tukombo to witness their son of Nkhatabay, Hon. Dr Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma changing the mindset of people from the area to support Dr Lazarus Chakwera.
Tukombo people, for the first time, in their magnitude, responded positively to Kwacha slogan with lots of smiles and chanted Chakwera, …..BOMA. Indeed it was a special occasion and those that went there to see what will happen, got answers that Chakwera’s government has come to stay.
Parameters have now shifted in Nkhatabay in favour of Chakwera and MCP.
Zikhale displayed his political skills, tactics and experience when all important chiefs attended this meeting. Some of the notable chiefs were Senior Chief Fukamapiri, TA Zilakoma, Senior Group Village Headman Dambanjoka and Group Village Headman Nkholozo. As if that was not enough, other notable faces in Parliament drove all the way from Lilongwe to support their fellow legislator . We saw MP for Kasungu North West Hon Nkhoma, who was among those that came from other regions for this particular meeting and one of the ladies that attended the function said “this man is loved here.”
Senior Chief Fukamapiri, in his speech, asked people of Tukombo to rally behind Dr Lazarus Chakwera as the President and his son Dr Kenneth Zikhale Ng’oma as an MP. He said and I quote, “Chakwera is the only visionary leader who is known worldwide. He represented Africa at United Nations General Assembly as he gave a sensible speech. He is a great leader who has recognised the people of Nkhatabay. He is the one who stood up and made history straight that MCP started here in Nkhatabay and that Aleke Banda was the first Secretary General of MCP. He stated that Tukombo has history because that is where Aleke Banda came from, and he sent his minister here in Tukombo when it was hit by Cholera. Which president has ever done that?” end of quote.
It was indeed a great day for people of Tukombo, as the newly crowned T/A Zilakoma in his speech asked Hon Zikhale Ng’oma to assist them with a maternity wing because women travel a long way to Chinthetche to be attended to.
Zikhale in his speech thanked Dr Lazarus Chakwera for the support he gives to the people of Nkhatabay. He said the M5 pot holes will soon be a thing of the past, he also thanked Dr Lazarus Chakwera for accepting to bring to the people of Nkhatabay South clean portable water through the Northern Region Water Board. The area hardly has had running water since 1964 despite having prominent names that stood as MPs of the constituency in fhe past.
He informed the people that Malawi will soon change for the better with Chakwera, citing the massive road network rehabilitation projects happening in the country.
Zikhale asked the people of Tukombo to start practicing modern ways of managing, thrir lives well by having deep pit latrines in their villages to curb cholera because, Tulombo is historically known as a food basket area where fish and other crops are sourced from and feeds major cities of this country. As such, everyone must be clean.
Regional Chairman for the North South, Mr Chavula, said Zikhale and Dr Chakwera have come to stay and revealed to the people of Nkhatabay South that he has started campaigning in his home constituency so that he becomes an MP. He said he likes the way Zikhale is spreading development in his constituency, and felt good to hear people appreciating the works of their MP and that encourages him to stand as an MP as well and do what Zikhale is doing.
Regional Chair, talked highly of Chakwera’s administration and assured the people of Tukombo better on developments. He stated that Malawi is changing for the better now, and that corruption is coming to an end, developments are taking place everywhere and that this was what people were looking for.
During the meeting, there were traditional dances like Vimbuza, Chiwoda and Malipenga.
Two major football teams from the area played and the other team won on penalty shootout and went away with 200,000. The losing side went away with 100,000. Netball had their prices as well.
During the same meeting, 150 members joined MCP and among them, only four of Mrs Chinthu Banda’s( for UTM candidate as well as former MP ) strong members were dressed in public, MCP party cloth and these were:
1. Her Personal Assistant Mr Mauka Chirwa. 2. Mr Kadokana Saka 3. Mr Mgali 4. Mr Newton Banda
Chief Zilakoma was so happy that these energetic members will bring more developments to the area since they have joined the government on time and the chiefs work with the government of the day.
Australian-based Malawi netball team star Mwawi Kumwenda on Saturday officially tied the knot with her longtime sweetheart Wanangwa Chrispine Mbwana in a lavish ceremony held in Blantyre.
The officiation ceremony took place at St Columba CCAP church and reception was held in the evening at Mount Soche Hotel.
Mwai Kumwenda wedding
Several high profile figures and Mwawi’s teammates as well as friends from Australia were among the people that attended the ceremony.
The event was spiced up by a surprise performance by musician ‘Saint’ who performed his latest single ‘Make’
Lilongwe based Reggae and Dancehall artist Kellie Divine, born Cailly Rashid willthis coming Monday release her much anticipated single titled “Alhamdulillah,”which features Malawi’s renowned Dancehall Icon Malinga.
Speaking in an interview on Friday, the artist said “Alhamdulillah” is an Arabicphrase which translates to “Thank God” in English and it is on this background thatshe thought of hatching a love song appreciating God’s love through his man.”The song is talking about a long awaited true love and it is like a girl is appreciating the true love that is only given by God himself through her lover,” Kellie Divine said.
Kellie Divine and Malinga Mafia
She said it has always been her wish to sing a romantic song and move out of hercomfort zone which is writing positive songs carrying messages that a-ect peopleday by day.”I need to rebrand myself into a complete artist who can compose songs that can beloved by people from all walks of life,” she said.She added that it has also been her wish to compose a song with Malingaconsidering that her fans usually pressurized her to make a song with the dancehallicon.
On his part, Malinga said “Alhamdulillah” is a good song and people should expect awork of an art. After disclosing the release date of the song on her Facebook page, several fansexpressed their excitement saying they have been waiting for this collaboration.
The song will be premiered on Radio 2 FM’s Made on Monday program with JoyNathu and will also be available on all major streaming platforms on the internetafter its premier.
Nyasa Big Bullets will meet their reserve side Nyasa Big Bullets Reserve in the finals of the FDH Cup following their 4-nil win against city rivals Mighty Mukuru Wanderers at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) on Saturday.
Fresh from an embarrassing exit in the Caf Champions league, Bullets thrash the Lali Lubani boys courtesy of Gomezgani Chirwa, Hassan Kajoke, Anthony Mfune and Babatunde Adepoju’s goals.
The Nomads had chances to take the lead early in the first half with Misheck Botomani, Muhammad Sulumba and Isaac Kaliati having their shots missing the target.
The People’s team settled in the game some minutes later and they had their breakthrough in the 24th minute when man of the match Anthony Mfune found Gomezgani Chirwa who coolly slotted the ball into Wanderers’ net.
Hassan Kajoke increased Bullets’ lead from the penalty spot just four minutes in the second half following a foul on him in the penalty box by former teammate Miracle Gabeya.
After assisting in creating the first and second goals for Bullets’ , Mfune found himself on the scoresheet in the 63rd minute to put the game beyond Nomads’ reach.
The former Karonga United striker scored the third goal after he received a pass from Gomezgani Chirwa who won the ball following a back pass error from the Nomads’ midfielder Francis Mkonda.
Flames attacker Robin Ngalande made his debut for the Nomads after he was introduced by coach Alex Ngwira in the 75th minute replacing Isaac Kaliati but his impact was not felt as the Ndirande outfit continued to press for the fourth goal.
Substitute Babatunde Adepoju scored Bullets’ fourth goal and his fourth in the competition in the dying minutes to end the match at 4-nil in favor of the People’s team.
