Mulanje launches development plan

Mulanje District Council has launched a five-year District Development Plan which will see proper coordination of development projects in the district.

In the plan, the council has pegged its five-year budget projection at K68 billion, with tourism as its major focus.

Speaking in an interview during the launch on Friday, district commissioner Charles Makanga was upbeat that with support from the donor community and nongovernmental organisations (NGOs)working in the district, they will be able to achieve what they have planned.

 “We have Mulanje Mountain which is a centre of tourist attraction in this district, only that we have not been utilising it fully. We intend to boost tourism and with the support from donors and about 32 NGOs working in this district,” he said.

Presiding over the launch, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Kondwani Nankhumwa hailed Mulanje District Council for setting the pace. He called on other councils to follow suit.

“Planning is s a key to success. What Mulanje has done is a step in the right direction. However, planning is one thing and implementation is another. It is my expectation that all stakeholders will work together in the implementation of this plan,” he said.

Among the projects highlighted in the plan include water and sanitation, improved access to health, education, improved transport system, infrastructure and security.

The development plan, which is in line with Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS) III, has been launched with support from the Local Government and Accountability Performance (LGAP) and financial assistance from United States Agency for International Development (USaid) among others.