People in Fulatira Village, Traditional Authority M’bang’ombe in Lilongwe say they are ready to work with climate smart enhanced public works program (EPWP) and Government to cover fatal gullied landscapes which killed their two relations in 2016 and 2017 respectively.

One of the villagers Dalitso Kapika said the first man accidently fell in the gully with a bicycle he rode and died on spot. The second one fell in and died as he tried to pick his way over the gully.

 “There is need for us and government to join hands to cover this deep gully. Some have been filling the gully with sacks of soil but it has never worked,” says Kapika.

Some villagers reported that the gulley, which is about 800 metres long, is also posing a threat to lives of children including livestock that use the road which is side by side with the gully.

“We find it very difficult to control our children who look at gullies as source of fun yet it is a danger to their lives,” states Kapika.  

Some villagers reported that once cows fall in such heavy and deep gullies, they cannot be rescued but just slaughtered inside and sell the beef even if the owner did not plan for that.    

According to an extension worker in TA M’bang’ombe, Lilongwe, Chifundo Chikolokoto, apart from heavy and deep gullies, the area has lost soil fertility, realise low crop yields and is heavily deforested.

The area needs collaboration of all sectors namely forestry, agriculture, land resources to habilitate the catchment as well as improve the food security and other livelihoods like fish farming, woodlots, bee keeping, poultry farming, horticulture among others.

Selection criteria of EPWP catchments were based on results of mini surveys conducted in all TAs. The gravity of the environmental problems in the TAs were compared and the worse TAs were chosen.

The land in Wiliro in Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga District may not have lost much of its vegetative cover and top soil, but is under threat of losing the same due to human habitation.

The land, located is in Group Village Head Mwenechilanga, is hilly with stony soils and steep slopes covered with grass and some trees.

Some community members are settling and cultivating on the sloppy land without making recommended contour structures to control run-off, which is against agricultural principles.

“Prevention is better than cure” is the adage communities in Mwenechilanga want to go by, that is why they do not want to wait till the area is completely degraded before taking action.

No wonder the area is candidate for the pilot project dubbed ‘Enhanced Public Works Programme (EPWP)’ which will run for nine months in 10 districts across the country.

National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) will implement the project with multi-sectoral stakeholders at district and community levels.

The project, which targets 1,000 people in each of the 10 pilot districts, aims to strengthen household resilience to shocks and create durable community assets.

It also focuses on integrated watershed management through sub projects purposed for land resource conservation, afforestation, environment, sanitation as well as sustainable livelihood activities among other areas.

To kick-start the project, NLGFC recently organised trainings for district officers and extension workers from various sectors in all the districts involved in the pilot phase, including Karonga and Chitipa.

The training ran from Tuesday, February 18 to Friday, February 21, 2020. Conducting a transect walk was a practical part of the training for the Chitipa group which trained in Karonga.

The exercise involved walking across the proposed project catchment with members of the village development committee (VDC).

During the walk, technical officers took note of the nature of soil, vegetation cover, terrain as well as human activities currently taking place on the area.

The officers also agreed to identify threats of the proposed project site which are likely to lead to land degradation, deforestation or any other environmental damage to the land.

Those were the factors to determine whether the area should be passed for the EPWP pilot project so that it is protected from those environmental threats.

District Environmental Sub Committee (DESC), district officers and extension workers conducted the transect walk as participants to the training. They were led by the area’s VDC members.

The area in question has not completely lost its trees, but observation showed it would soon lose them, including top soils.

This is due to the unsustainable cutting down of trees induced by both cultivation and human habitation or settlement which has noticeably started taking place on this sloppy land.

“If we leave the situation like this, we will one day wake up only to see the hills are bare,” said Group Village Head Mwenechilanga as he assisted fellow villagers to draw the map for the proposed project catchment area.

The Enhanced Public Works Programme (EPWP) succeeds the MASAF 4 Public Works Program (PWP), and targets the ultra-poor communities but those with capacity to work.

The project is expected to fill the gaps that were, in some cases, left by the predecessor MASAF 4 PWP.

“In the PWP, we had 16 catchments in Chitipa and activities were scattered all over, so it was difficult for the project to have impact.

“This time we will have only five catchments, which means the impact will be there and easy to see,” Chitipa District Land Resources Officer, Baldwin Kitamula said during the training.

The training for the Chitipa team attracted 11 DESC members and 25 extension workers from five proposed NLGFC project catchments.

Extension workers were drawn from Agriculture, Forestry and Community Development among other sectors.

The training session tackled topics such Planning, Project Management, Financial Management and procurement among others.

“We are touching all levels with training, including community members.

“VDCs are also supposed to be trained in planning, Financial Management, Project Management and Procurement of goods and services,” Karonga NLGFC Project Officer, Edward Ngwemba who facilitated the training in Chitipa said.

The idea behind training communities will be to empower them, and instill a spirit of responsibility and ownership as they are the ones to take a bigger role in implementing the project.

In this way, it is expected that communities themselves will be able to sustain the EPWP projects such as those aimed at protecting land resources from destructive activities in areas like the hilly and sloppy land in Wiliro of Paramount Chief Kyungu in Karonga.

Extension workers in the impact districts where the climate smart Enhanced Pubic Works program (EPWP) is being piloted have been equipped with skills and knowledge on how to manage and effectively implement the program.

EPWP is being piloted in the Chitipa, Karonga, Kasungu, Nkhotakota, Lilongwe, Dowa, Phalombe, Chiradzulu, Balaka and Blantyre districts.

Extension workers, who are the frontline staff in the program’s implementation, were oriented on Watershed Management Practises and principles and steps to follow in implementing the project. They were also briefed on what EPWP is all about.

Extension workers in the four impact districts in the Southern Region described the training as a milestone saying the skills gained will enable them effectively implement the program.

Blantyre District Council Agricultural Extension Development Officer, Patrick Chisakasa, said the training has accorded him best practices on how to approach the program.

“This is a new approach and with the skills imparted to us we expect the program to have more impact. Now we know how to approach this program for impact in the catchment areas,” he said.

He observed that it is important for extension workers to do more to ensure that the program realises its objectives.

Balaka District Council Community Development Assistant, Rose Mazibuko hailed the training saying now that they are well equipped with knowledge and skills, they will work for the benefit of the people in the micro catchment areas and the district as a whole.

She was optimistic that there will be proper coordination between extension workers from different departments as well as the beneficiaries for the success of the program.

“We are looking forward to the actual dates when the activities will be starting. I’m looking forward to taking part in identification of the beneficiaries as well as identification of the projects mainly the start-up activities for this program,” she said.

Chiradzulu District Council Assistant Irrigation Engineer, Vincent Chisomo Mlenga concurred with this counterparts saying the training was important as it has enlightened them in aspects such as development of Village Level Action Plan, safeguards and environmental impact assessment among others.

He said the issues learnt will work to the stakeholders benefit of effective implementation of the program from identification of beneficiaries to the actual implementation.

“We have also learnt how we are going to conduct ourselves to the community with this pilot project so that it has to be a success. We need to do to the best of our ability so that the EPWP is a success to the district as well as to the nation,” he said.

He appealed to fellow extension workers to put into practice whatever they have learnt when they go out to the communities.

Phalombe District Council Assistant Community Development Officer, Sydney Nkata, hailed the training saying it will go a long way in bringing extension workers to work together despite coming from different sectors of the council.

Phalombe District Irrigation Officer who is also Acting Director of Public Works, Transio Kandinga said the training has given them the technical know-how on implementing activities in the program.

EPWP aims at conserving natural resources in order to create quality and sustainable community assets through catchment management approach.

It targets 1,000 beneficiaries in each of the impact districts with a micro catchment of not exceeding 250 acres.

The National Local Government Finance Committe (NLGFC) joins the Government of Malawi in fighting the spread of COVID-19.

Some most common symptoms of COVID-19 also known as:

• Headache
• High fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

Call 54747 if you develop these signs

There are currently no drugs licensed for the treatment or prevention of COVID-19, according to World Health Organization. However, COVID-19 can be contained by following some preventive measures.

NLGFC demands all staff to observe these safety tips:

• Wash hands
• Use masks
• Avoid handshakes
• Don't touch your face
• Stay at home
• Use hand sanitiser
• Avoid crowded places
• Avoid travelling
• Avoid contacts
• Observe social distance

Standing by the fish pond under Kajikasuku Fisheries Project at Lura, about 300 metres by the now under-construction Livingstonia Road in Traditional Authority Mwalweni in Rumphi, one is greeted by a stunning beauty from a combination of indigenous and exotic trees that surround the site.

The cool soft wind that produces a whistling sound as it whips through the pine trees is what any visitor would love to feel if they are on a relaxing mode.

Besides pine trees, there are also indigenous species which are dominated by the Masuku (Uapaca kirkiana) type. The two species combine with several others to produce the beauty one is likely to enjoy.

With the fish pond surrounding looking well cared for, what quickly comes to mind is that the place is intended for a recreation site rather than fish production.

It is this village forest that prompted the idea among community members to have a fish production project.

This was on the understanding that the village forest, acting as a catchment area, would assist in water conservation in the fish ponds to be constructed.

“We started with an afforestation project to conserve the trees, and then officials from the Fisheries Department advised us to construct a fish pond.”

“They saw the viability of the proposed fish project, especially with the presence of trees around. It was also a need by the community in this area to produce fish from the constructed pond,” says Kajikasuku Fisheries Project Secretary, Khumbo Harawa.

Malawi Social Action Fund (MASAF) 4 Public Works Programme, supported the construction of the fish pond which started with 21 people.

They plan to turn their fortunes and surprise many. To sustain the project, members used the money accrued from a first catch to buy feed for the fish.

What is interesting is that the project’s beneficiaries have quickly identified a different potential the fish production initiative could offer other than just fish production, which they would like to exploit. They have improved the scenery and plan to harness resources through allowing private use for a few of the scenic place.

The National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) says Local Authorities’ Management Information System Officers (MISOs) need to be the agents of change if Councils are to fully utilize the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS).

NLGFC Director of Corporate Services, Charles Liwonga said these remarks during an IFMIS training which was organized for all Council MISOs recently.

Liwonga said IFMIS was procured by the government to provide a robust Financial Management System in Local Authorities after noting lapses in financial management and reporting. However, most councils are yet to adopt comprehensive use of IFMIS in managing their financial resources.

"The IFMIS was introduced to ensure that there is efficiency and effectiveness in the management of financial resources whether locally generated or finances from the central government and development partners. It is Surprising to note that councils are deliberately ignoring the systems and are transacting outside IFMIS. We cannot hold on to the archaic ways, doing business as usual, we need to keep up to speed with the changes,” said Liwonga.

He added that as the system managers, MISOs have a responsibility to advise and ensure that they provide the councils with all the desired support for them to migrate to using IFMIS.

“With the introduction of a number of ICT systems, your work is expanding. This is why we feel the need to provide these refresher trainings to ensure that we are up to date with the developments and emerging issues because you can only provide the desired support services if you are conversant with the issues,” he continued.

IFMIS is an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tool for Councils to use in Financial Management and Reporting under the policy guidance of the Accountant General.

The NLGFC says all preparatory work for the roll out of the the World Bank funded Social Support Resilient Livelihoods Project (SSRLP), is on track.

NLGFC Director of Infrastructure and Economic Development, Engineer Paul Chipeta says the roll out is expected in July, 2020. Chipeta says what remains is for the Government to fulfill effectiveness

conditions.

“After the project was passed in the parliament, we have been working on fulfilling two conditions; setting up a Project Steering Committee and developing the Project Implementation Manual (PIM). All these have been done and we are waiting for the Government to comment on the draft PIM and move to the next steps,” .

With funding from the World Bank, the SSRLP is expected to be implemented for a period of five yearsrunning from July 2020 to June 2025. The Programme will be implemented in 14 Councils; Chitipa, Karonga, Rumphi, Nkhatabay, Kasungu, Nkhotakota, Dowa, Ntchisi, Lilongwe, Dedza, Blantyre,Chiradzulu, Balaka and Phalombe.

The SSRLP is a successor of the Malawi Social Action Fund (MASAF) IV and is based on a strong vision of reform, working towards improved coordination and emphasis on consolidation and sustainability.

The Objective of SSRLP is to improve resilience among the poor and vulnerable population and strengthen the national platform for safety nets in Malawi. It supports the Malawi National Social Support Program II (MNSSP) and is entirely devised around the MNSSPII strategy and Implementation Plan.

The project has four main components; Improving Social and Economic Inclusion, Strengthening Harmonised Delivery System, Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening Support and Contingent Emergency Support.

SSRLP will have a greater focus on Social Cash Transfer Program (SCTP) as an anchor programme and enhanced livelihoods support in a sustainable manner.

The project will also test the ability of the SCTP to scale-up in response to weatherrelated disasters.

The Urban Development Division at the NLGFC is thrilled with developments especially the Luchenza bus depot. Coordinator of the division, Engineer Joy Pankomera told the NLGFC Newsletter that phase one had ended.

“The first phase is complete which comprised of construction of the Luchenza bus waiting shelter, ablution block, boundary wall with gates, bus bay (gravel finish) and drainage system. The next phase shall involve paving the bus drive way” says Pankomera.

He says this is a carryover project from previous years which was substantially delayed due to land issues. Pankomera says what is more –pleasing is that the first phase has all been funded by the Government of the republic of Malawi.

Asked to comment on what the open challenge fund is, Pankomera says it is, “a funding mechanism for accessing resources co funded by the Government of Malawi and Development Partners to support socio-economic infrastructure and planning projects in all Councils”.

He says funding is accessed through a Call for Proposals in which all Councils are eligible to compete.

The coordinator says the current programme design had envisaged that MK250 million would be funded each financial year by Malawi Government as counterpart funds for implementation of socio-economic projects in all Councils.

The project, which began in January 2017 is expected to close in December 2020.

Pankomera says the design of such projects is meant to contribute to increasing employment and income in rural areas of Malawi along selected value chains, especially for poorer sections of the population.

Established in 2012 under the Local Economic Development (LED) project, the Mangochi Business Support Unit (BSU) continues to be cherished by Community Savings and Investment Promotion (COMSIP) groups.

Mr Zimba, the District Community Development Officer for Mangochi District Councils says the BSU is a one stop centre for providing business advisory services in areas of agribusiness, community development and trade to savings and investment groups in Mangochi.

In bid to increase household income levels to the ultra-poor Malawians and help them graduate from poverty, beneficiaries of MASAF IV in Public Works Programme (PWP) and Social Cash Transfers (SCT) under the NLGFC were receiving cash transfers and were encouraged to form savings and investment groups.

Community Savings and Investment Promotion (COMSIP) mobilised beneficiaries of PWP and SCT into groups to provide for its linkage to the Livelihoods and skills development component of MASAF IV.

The idea behind the COMSIP groups was to instil the savings and investment culture among Malawians. BSU supports these groups through many business advisory services since the onset of the group formation.

In his remarks, the Agribusiness officer, Kondwani Nyengo said that BSU takes a networked approach of combining expertise in trade, agribusiness and community development in order to provide comprehensive business advisory and development services at the Local Council and communities.

“As BSU, our areas of focus in general, is to provide business advisory services to groups in business community, distilling best practice among the business community, capacity building , market linkages and helping business groups to have access to finance”

Speaking to this Newsletter,  NLGFC’s Enterprise Development Specialist, Mirriam Saiwa says, it is the expectation of the NLGFC to see savings and investment groups running smoothly with support in areas of financial literacy, business management, record keeping, agribusiness, nutrition, health and sanitation. Saiwa says the progressive evidence based social economic transformation of the project is impressive.

In total, Mangochi Business Support Unit benefits 120 savings and investment groups.