National Local Government Finance Committee says the implementation of the Enhanced Public Works Programme (EPWP) pilot sub project across 10 councils is going on well.

Director of Infrastructure and Economic Development (DIED) at the NLGFC, Engineer Paul Chipeta says the implementation of EPWP pilot phase has been received with overwhelming support by committees, communities and councils in the ten pilot districts.

“We have eight months to implement pilot EPWP sub projects and then evaluation will follow to determine continuity of public works programme in Malawi. So I am not surprised with the energy, hard work and commitment that communities are putting into the project,” Chipeta said.  

The Director says there is no room for error, failure or complacency.

Currently, EPWP beneficiaries in micro-catchments districts are implementing various climate interventions ranging from tree nursery establishments, digging swales, gully reclamations, stone bands making and construction of water harvesting structures among others.  

Speaking to NLGFC newsletter, District Liaison Officer for Kasungu Kingster Kathumba says the project has indeed started on a high note.

“The spirit of the communities is impressive. We will see communities creating quality assets, like for Chankhanga micro-catchment, beneficiaries have already started constructing swales, nurseries, stone hedge ridging and the progress is very impressive so far,” said Kathumba

The EPWP has taken a holistic approach in conservation of the environment and land resources through Integrated Catchment Management (ICM). EPWP targets ultra-poor households with labour in 10 districts and is premised on the principles of fair and transparent beneficiary selection using the Unified Beneficiary Register (UBR), timely and predictable transfers and creation of quality and sustainable community assets.

The Enhanced public works programme is being implemented in 10 councils (Chitipa, Karonga, Kasungu, Nkhotakota, Lilongwe, Dowa, Balaka, Blantyre, Chiradzulu and Phalombe) with a belief that if the project is successful it will be scaled up to all the district councils in the country.