Machemba Catchment of Traditional Authority Nyezelera in Phalombe recently received 2.2 Million Kwacha cheque to be used towards financing Enhanced Public Works Programme works that are taking place in the area.

The cheque money is expected to carter for procurement of working materials and various tree seeds for reforestation EPWP projects that are set to take place in the area.

Speaking during the cheque's handover ceremony held at Group Village Headman Horo's headquarters, Director of Administration at Phalombe district Council Matthews Mkandawire said Enhanced Public Works Programme projects would enhance new hope for the area.

According to Mkandawire, the district council is aware of environmental challenges in the area that render it vulnerable to natural disasters as such he hoped successful implementation of EPWP would relieve the area.

"This money has come to support the committee in implementing watershed projects that they identified, largely aimed at putting to a complete end problems associated with environmental degradation," Mkandawire said.

Malambwe catchment is currently suffering from serious environmental degradation as evidenced by serious gully erosions happening in most parts of the area, a thing that has been affecting farm production over the past years.

Receiving the cheque chairperson for Machemba Madalitso Daniel expressed enthusiasm in EPWP works, saying the projects under the initiative would hopefully solve many problems in the micro-catchment.

Daniel pledged for the committee to portray financial prudence on the money so as not to disappoint financers and all implementing sections of the Enhanced Public Works Programme.

“We want to be one of the micro-catchments that produce tangible and sustainable results after the eight months of implementation of this project and I assure you that come the end of the pilot phase, Machemba will have delivered the best results,” he added with enthusiasm.

Chairperson for Phalombe district council Francis Nunkhazingwe commended the EPWP facilitated watershed projects that are set to take place in the area, expressing hope that the projects would last.

He further encouraged community members who are not monetary beneficiaries in the EPWP to participate in the works on voluntary basis so as to foster sustainability.

The National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) is facilitating the pilot Enhanced Public Works Programme in 10 district of the country for 9 months.

Story Credit: Sam Majamanda, District Information Officer, Phalombe