President Lazarus Chakwera has said the Tonse Alliance-led administration recognises agriculture, education, water and sanitation as strong pillars for the country’s development.
Chakwera made the remarks Tuesday on arrival in Mzuzu City, where he is expected to attend to a number of activities in the Northern Region.
Speaking at Shoprite Round-about in Mzuzu, Chakwera said his visit to the Northern Region serves as testament to the value he attaches to the mentioned areas.
Today, the President is expected to preside over Mzuzu University (Mzuni) silver jubilee celebrations and a graduation ceremony to be held at the institution’s campus.
At least 2,022 students are expected to graduate in different fields.
- Advertisement -
“We all have to celebrate that Mzuni has been in existence, providing quality education. This is something to be happy about. Education is important. Similarly, water and sanitation and food security [are important]. I would like to, therefore, commend sector heads for these entities,” he said.
In his welcoming remarks, Malawi Congress Party vice president Harry Mkandawire said people who welcomed the President came from various political parties, an indication that the Tonse Alliance is still strong and firm to usher Chakwera back into power in the 2025 elections.
Apart from the graduation, Chakwera is, on Thursday, expected to commission the Nkhata Bay Town Water Supply System and Sanitation Project and Linga Irrigation Scheme in Nkhata Bay District.
The water supply and sanitation project seeks to improve access to potable water and improve the health of about 140,572 people within Nkhata Bay Town and surrounding districts.
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
Initially, the work was supposed to be completed by December last year but, according to the Northern Region Water Board, the suspension of the project by the African Development Bank (AfDB) in May 2023 had an impact on the deadline.
AfDB suspended the disbursement of funds to the Nkhata Bay Town Water Supply and Sanitation Project over concerns of the contractor not complying with health and safety requirements.
The K30.5 billion project involved rehabilitating, upgrading and expanding the Nkhata Bay Town Water Supply System and the provision of solid and liquid waste management facilities to provide reliable and sustainable potable water and sanitation services.
Chakwera is also expected to commission a 1,000 hectares irrigation scheme which is set to benefit 5,000 farmers.
The scheme was constructed using funds from the African Development Bank and the Malawi Government.
