MDF intensifies alternative funding sources
The Malawi Defence Force (MDF) has stepped up efforts to engage in alternative Income Generating Activities (IGAs) to supplement what the security agency gets from government.
MDF Commander General Griffin Spoon-Phiri said this in an interview on the sidelines of an end-of-year party the MDF organised at its headquarters in Lilongwe on Friday.
He said MDF has registered an engineering company that is undertaking construction projects.
“The first tranche of work that we have is going to generate $9.1 billion [about K6.7 trillion] and this is why we have invested heavily in machinery to enable us competently do such work and compete with any other construction company,” he said.
The Army Commander said the security agency will also have a Food Production Unit to produce food at commercial rates.
The MDF, according to Spoon-Phiri, has also procured enough equipment to enable it undertake its core responsibilities of security.
He said: “This year we have acquired enough equipment to enable us undertake our responsibilities, including monitoring everything taking place on our Lake Malawi.”
Economic Association of Malawi (Ecama) president Chiku Kalilombe in an interview yesterday hailed MDF for the initiatives, saying it will reduce dependency on the fiscal budget for the army’s operations.
He urged other government agencies to consider doing the same, saying some agencies like Malawi Prison Services used to produce food whose surplus would be sold to the public.
Said Kalilombe: “This is a good initiative, whether it will work is a different story and remains to be seen. But it is high time government agencies started exploring alternative sources of generating revenue.”
During the dinner, Spoon-Phiri also added that the army has made tremendous strides in improving the soldiers’ welfare by reducing housing shortages.
