Mchinji residents excited with community road programme
Mchinji residents are excited with the Community Road Maintenance Programme (CRMP) which has helped to improve road conditions in the district.
The CRMP is a new road maintenance programme funded by the Road Fund Administration (RFA).
The RFA took over the financing of the Income Generating Public Works Programme (IGPWP) which was funded by European Development Fund (EDF) since August 2005 and was phased out in 2011.
Using the CRMP, over 257 maintenance clubs with over 2 324 members in 15 districts which were established and trained under the IGPWP continue the maintenance and rehabilitation of roads and bridges in their respective communities.
Speaking during the handover of equipment to clubs from Mchinji recently, district director of planning Walter Chikuni said the initiative has helped greatly because roads that were impassable are now in good condition.
“People are motivated to take part in the works because they are getting more money and you can see that there is enthusiasm. The equipment you have donated will make them more happy and hence more dedicated,” said Chikuni.
Bester Matewere, a foreman from Mkanda, said some of the equipment such as gloves, gumboots and raincoats will make their job easier when working in harsh environment.
“Sometimes you have to remove dead animals like dogs from the roads and without gloves the whole experience is just horrible. When it is raining we have to abandon the job but with raincoats we will be working during rainy season,” said Matewere.
Senior group village headman Chakapama of T/A Kapando said the equipment will help reduce diseases among workers.
“Most of the times the workers were falling sick because we work in harsh environments and without proper protective clothing diseases were the order of the day. We are hopeful that diseases will be minimised and everyone can concentrate on their allocated time,” said Kapando.
RFA public relations manager Masauko Ngwaluko disclosed that about K400 million (about $1m) has been budgeted for the programme in the current financial year.
According to Ngwaluko, the provision of road maintenance tools and protective wear is about K80 million (about $200 000).
“We want to improve the livelihoods of individuals through creation of income earning opportunities, improve access to services and at the same time improve participation and empowerment of the rural communities through the use of labour intensive interventions,” he said.
The tasks members engage in activities which include ditching, sloping, clearing culverts, grass cutting as well as filling scoured sections.
Each club member receives a minimum of K9 600 per month.
Apart from the protective clothes the organisation also donated wheel barrows, hoe handles, measuring sticks as well as reflectors.
