President Chakwera assures people from the north on Inkosi Mbelwa and Orton Chirwa International Airport

By Kondanani Chilimunthaka

President Lazarus Chakwera affirmed his Government commitment to construct Inkosi Mbelwa University and Orton Chirwa International Airport in the Northern Region as promised as one way of developing the region and ensure improved Education and Transport.

Speaking at Emvuyeni Primary School ground of Inkosi Mtwalo in Mzimba on Friday, April 29,2022 where he addressed a developmental rally soon after conducting crop, animal, and fish farming inspection tour in various areas, President Chakwera assured Inkosi Ya Makhosi Mbelwa V and the people of Mzimba that his administration will Construct Inkosi Mbelwa University and Orton Chirwa International Airport in the District.

He told the crowd that gathered at the rally that his administration will continue with the developmental projects which were started by the previous administrations, while implementing new projects to make sure there is continuity of development for the betterment of all Malawians.

“We have completed construction of new Phalombe Hospital, we have signed a contract to construct a railway from Nsanje to Mozambique, constructed Chakazi bridge here in Mzimba, Jenda-Manyamula-Edingeni road, and finished Thyolo-Thekelani-Muona road among others. This is our assurance that what we promised Malawians including the University and Airport here is possible and will be done.” Said President Chakwera, adding that construction of Mpherembe-Mzimba road through Euthini is underway under the Millennium Compact Fund.

On the aim of his inspections, the President said it aimed at hearing for himself from different farmers practicing various farming activities on how things are, and what can be done to improve the industry to make sure that the government fiscal policies are inline with the country’s state of affairs.

“I am conducting the inspection tour to encourage farmers to use the modern farming technologies to make farming become real business by among others using modern mechanization, and to assure all Malawians that none will die or live on empty stomach as the government will ensure that food is available for every household.” Said President Chakwera while commending farmers of Mzimba for practicing various farming activities including fish, and cattle farming for milk production.

Here President Chakwera expressed his satisfaction with cooperatives, saying fields of those farmers working in clusters and cooperatives have shown that the country can produce more if farmers are working together in such groups, adding that the country needs more Agriculture Extension Workers to attain the goal.

Further, President Chakwera concurred with Inkosi Ya Makhosi Mbelwa V that this year’s program of Affordable Inputs had many challenges comparing to that of the previous season.

“Indeed some households will not harvest enough this season, but let me assure you Inkosi Ya Makhosi Mbelwa V and all your subjects that despite having less production on household levels in some parts of the country, we will harvest enough on the national level which will Carter for our people at all levels across the county.” Said Malawi leader in assurance of food security for the country.

But President Chakwera bemoaned the corrupt acts that other stakeholders have been doing leading to some beneficiaries failing to access the Affordable Inputs under the AIP, warning that the time for such practices has come to an end as his administration will not tolerate it anymore.

President Chakwera then tackled on various national developmental issues, saying the government has increased the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) from K40 million to K100 million as one way of assuring that all areas are developed, adding that Mzimba alone will now be benefiting by about K1.2 billion yearly through the CDF which he described as enough to ensure some developments are easily implemented through citizen participation.

But the Malawi leader accused previous administration for constructing some substandard projects which he said have made the nation not to progress for some years.

On electricity and water projects, President Chakwera said Mzimba district will benefit from various rural projects, citing areas like Njuyu, Zombwe, Choma, M’bwabwa, and Emvuyeni to be among the beneficiaries.

President Chakwera is on a week long developmental visit in the Northern region after conducting similar visits to the South and Center.