President Lazarus Chakwera on Thursday said the government will support all people that are homeless in Nkhotakota after being hit by floods.
He urged them to hold on to hope, saying the government is with them every step of the way.
Speaking at Matiki evacuation camp in the district, Chakwera said he understands that some businesspeople got loans from the National Economic Empowerment Fund (Neef), such that their chances of defaulting are high.
Chakwera said even Malawi, as a country, has not lost hope, even as its loans stood at K12.56 trillion as of December 2023, representing 84.8 percent of the GDP, as a yardstick of hope and optimism.
Chakwera said the government remains optimistic that, through talks, there will be desired results, extending the same to the affected business community and all flood survivors.
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He said his desire is to make sure that when the people are returning to their homes from camps, they have recovery starter packs.
“We will work hard to make sure that we source support for you because we know that you lost almost everything. This disaster has never happened in our time. I know Dwangwa very well but, after this accident, I was even failing to trace the places. So, it is disheartening,” he said.
Chakwera further said construction of the K35 billion M5 section between Kaphatenga in Salima and Benga in Nkhotakota will consequently cost more than planned owing to the disaster.
“We had the money; the company was there but, with what has happened, the construction of the road will now need more money than we planned. It’s an appeal to parliamentarians to also help. We can even renegotiate with the African Development Bank, who supported us. We need to join hands and work fast because we know that all sectors [including those of] education, health, water, construction have been affected but I urge all of us [that are] alive to have hope,” he said.
