Zomba approves Masaf IV projects
Zomba District Council (ZDC) has approved proposed projects under the Malawi Social Action Fund (Masaf) IV having earlier failed to agree on the development blueprint.
On March 23 this year the document was rejected after some councillors said distribution of the projects was ‘unbalanced’ because some wards got more projects while others got none.
Zomba district commissioner (DC) Benet Nkasala said a full council has finally agreed on how the 245 projects, budgeted at K223 127 488 (about $347,990), have been distributed.
The projects are in the sectors of agriculture, forestry, water, environment, irrigation, roads and other public works and fisheries, benefitting an estimated 18 594 people in 11 traditional authorities (T/As).
Said Nkasala: “The projects should take off soon because the funds are available. However, community leaders should support the council so that ghost workers do not infiltrate the projects.
“Our objective is to transform the face of the district and we are optimistic that if we manage the money for the projects with prudence, the district will develop with ease.”
ZDC chairperson Evance Namakoka said the adoption of the budget was a milestone towards transforming the district.
“We urge community leaders and their subjects to monitor the projects in their areas and report to relevant authorities any unscrupulous practices experienced during the implementation of projects. It is only this way that communities will benefit,” he said. n
