JB to sustain Public Works Programme

Malawi President Joyce Banda has said she will sustain the Public Works Programmes (PWP) to assist Malawians who are facing economic challenges.

Banda said this at a fund-raising event for hunger-affected households organised by the Presidential Initiative on Poverty and Hunger Reduction at the New State House in Lilongwe.

The President said she found the country’s economy on the verge of collapse when she assumed office.

“You will be aware that I took office at a very critical time. Our economy was underperforming, looking at the responsibility that I have to serve the interest of Malawians, with the help of the International Monetary Fund [IMF], I decided to devalue the kwacha.

“I was aware of the negative impact this would bring to the life of the poor people, but that was the only option,” she said.

PWP aims at bailing out the population most affected by the devaluation of the kwacha.

“I introduced this programme so that we assist the poor. I am hopeful that the little money the poor receive after working in different projects under the programme will enable them to buy food, fertiliser and other basic needs,” she said.

The World Bank has pumped K10.7 billion into the programme and about 600 000 urban and rural Malawians are benefiting from the facility.—Mana