RFA empowers community road maintenance clubs
Malawi’s Roads Fund Administration (RFA) has empowered 297 community road maintenance clubs with in the country with tools worth K82 million (about $205 000).
The equipment will to enable communities rehabilitate and maintain feeder roads in the country. Among the tools that were handed over to the clubs includes wheelbarrows, shovels, rakes, boots, road signs, slashes and rain coats.
Speaking on Friday in Malawi’s northern district of Mzimba, during the presentation of the items to 38 community roads maintenance clubs RFA Administration and public Relations officer Masauko Ngwalauko urged the clubs to use the tools for the intended purposes.
“IGPWP was working with these clubs but they phased out in June 2011. The Malawi Government, therefore, took over through the RFA because [we] appreciated the work these clubs do in roads maintenance and rehabilitation [of feeder roads].” Ngwalauko said.
So far there are 297 community roads maintenance clubs working in 15 districts in Malawi who are helping in maintaining and rehabilitating feeder roads. The 297 clubs have a membership of 3000 people who starting next month will be receive K500 per day up from K350 they were getting under the IGPWP programme.
“This is a safety net programme designed to help the resources poor communities to alleviate poverty while at the same time trying to improve the community roads network,” Ngwalauko said adding that the money for these community roads maintenance clubs has been realized from the fuel levy, currently pegged at K35 per litre.
Director of public works (DPW) for Mzimba Amon Chisimba hailed the community road maintenance initiative which he said besides the social cash transfer component, it has helped connect Mzimba through an improved road network.
