We Are Seasonal Islanders - GVH Malamia
Some village heads in the area of Traditional Authority Makanjira in Mangochi district have asked government to fast track delivery of both relief food and Affordable farm inputs, before the rains starts when roads are still passable.
Senior Group Village headman (SGVH) Malamia who commands 13 village heads made the call Sunday when member of Parliament for the area, Mangochi north constituency, Benedicto Chambo, conducted a development rally to to update people on developmental project in the area.
According to SGVH Malamia, the area is yet to receive all the allocated MVAC response, AIP and with the metrological department rainfall forecast indicating rains might start any day, they are now fearing they might not benefit.
"We are like Seasonal Islanders here. When rains start, we are disconnected to the world, as roads are not passable," said Malamia.
He said government should make sure that all the commodities have been delivered to avoid hunger this year and next year.
However, GVH Malamia said people in the border villages are thankful to government on the news that now money for constructing the Mangochi-Makanjira road have been secured.
"We now have hope that the current status in no longer permanent, because we have examples of developments that are being implemented here, like Makanjira hospital, rural electrification projects and others, which were just promised by other governments," said Malamia.
Chambo, a Democratic Progressive Party parliamentarian who unpacked the projects being implemented in the area and those in pipeline, advised people to support development not politics.
"We need to develop this area, and this government is doing what we have been looking for. Let's give them support as it's not for political gains, but development," said Chambo.
He also told them not to get worried as their concerns are valid and government is already aware as he is in touch with relevant authorities.
"It's true that any delays to deliver food, AIP will affect them and that the number of beneficiaries is small, these are things that we are talking to authorities," said Chambo.
Recently the government of Saudi Arabia Ave Malawi $20 million for the construction of the Mangochi-Makanjira road where the parliamentarian and Senior Chief Makanjira accompanied president Lazarus Chakwera to the rainbow nation.