IMF Approve US$ 76.8 M To Malawi

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Executive Board approves US$ 76.8 Million disbursement to Malawi.

According to press release from IMF, the Board approved the support on Monday 20th June 2016 after completion of the seventh and eighth reviews of Malawi’s economic performance under the program supported by an Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement. 

The Board’s decision for the immediate disbursement of the US$ 76.8 million, bringing total disbursements under the arrangement to US$ 169.1 million.

"In completing the reviews, the Board also approved the authorities’ request for an extension of the current ECF arrangement to end December 2016 and an augmentation of access by the equivalent of SDR 34.7 million (about US$ 49.2 million or 25 percent of quota). The requested extension would give the authorities more time to achieve the original objectives of the program while the additional financing will help to strengthen the country’s response to the El Niño induced drought which has caused a humanitarian crisis." Reads the statement 

Pres. Mutharika Impressed With Investment Interests From Chinese Investors

President Peter Mutharika says is pleased with the Chinese business investor’s interests in sectors of Industry, Agriculture and Education.

A group of Chinese business investors from Anhui Province are in the country to attend the first ever ‘Malawi-China Investment Forum’ this Tuesday, 21st June 2016 at Golden Peacock Hotel in the capital city, Lilongwe.

Speaking at Kamuzu Palace on Monday evening, during the audience with the representatives from the People’s Republic of China, President Mutharika said the Chinese Investors have made “Strategic choice of focus.”

“These three areas are strategic to Malawi’s economic paradigm shift” stressed President Mutharika

YCW Movement Fundraising To Support St. Peters Major Seminary

Catholic grouping of Young Christian Workers (YCW) in Malawi has called on people of good will to join the fundraising activity to support St. Peter's Major Seminary in Zomba which is in deep financial crisis.

Augustine Mulomole the National President for the movement, said the group has learnt with concern that St. Peter's Major Seminary is in deep financial crisis, requiring over K8 Million by July 2016 to finish the current academic calendar.

"As YCW, we have made a commitment to raise up to K500 thousand as our contribution to the seminary." Said Mulomole

"Financial contributions are greatly encouraged and can be made through Airtel Money and TNM Mpamba using the following numbers: 0997 541 127 or 0882 474 641." urged Mulomole who encouraged all people of good will to support the Seminary

"St. Peter's is the University for young men aspiring to become priests and most YCW members, specifically boys, are at a stage of deciding to choose a vocation and priesthood is one such vocation. Even girls need priests too, so, if the seminary closes shop, then it will be difficult and very expensive for the Catholic Church in Malawi to train future priests" he explained

Since most well wishers have committed to honour their pledges by the end of the month of June, Mulomole said YCW will be receiving the donations up to the end of this month of June and during the same period, it is set to consolidate all the donations and submit them to St. Peter's.

House Adopts Motion To Allow Water Boards Drill, Manage Boreholes In Rural Areas

Jumbe: brought the motion

The Malawi National Assembly has adopted a motion that will enable Water Boards provide water to rural areas through drilling and management of boreholes.

Salima Central legislator, Felix Jumbe presented the motion seeking amendment of Water Works Act of 1995 of Act No. 17 Section 6 which gives Water Boards jurisdiction to do all water works management and distribution in designated urban areas.

Malawi Parliament Adopts Hemp Cultivation Motion

How Malawi Economy Wins Through Industrial Hemp

Industrial Hemp Farm

In a historic way, the Malawi National Assembly on Thursday, 16^th June 2016, adopted a motion legalizing the cultivation of the Industrial Hemp for its economic and health benefits.

Ntchisi North Legislator, Boniface Kadzamira presented the motion which has been appearing in the Order Paper since in February this year but the motion failed to be debated.

Man, 32, Sentenced 9 Yrs Imprisonment For Defilement

The Ntchisi First Grade Magistrate Court has handed a 9 year imprisonment sentence with hard labour to man aged 32 who defiled two little girls aged 3 and 5 on 12th May this year.

The convict Mr. Godfrey Leonard pleaded guilty to two counts of defilement of two girls who come from Dete village in Ntchisi.

According to Ntchisi Police Public Relations Officer, Sergeant Gladson M'bumpha said the man was answering to two counts of defilement which are contrary to Section 138 of the Penal Code.

"In her ruling, First Grade Magistrate Dorothy Kalua said the offence is serious in nature hence the offender deserve a stiff sentence to send a warning to other would be offenders." Said Sgt. M'bumpha 

2016/17 Budget Sidelines People Of Rumphi- Kamlepo

Kamlepo: Nothing for Rumphi

Rumphi North Legislator says there is no important allocation in the 2016/17 national budget that can make people of Rumphi district smile and ‘they wonder if they are indeed Malawians.’ 

Kalua said people of Rumphi are not benefiting from this year’s budget and most of the promised and long waited projects have no budget allocation this year.

“I have in mind here, several projects in my constituency and Rumphi as a district” recollect Kaulua when contributing to 2016/17 financial year Budget Motion on Wednesday evening 

He mentioned Njakwa-Livingstonia-Chitipa road and Rumphi Teachers Training College projects that have not received any budgetary allocation regardless promises by Government to begin construction of the two projects. Then he mentioned Rumphi District Hospital which he said has no allocation for operations.

“I have again in mind, Chiweta-Mulowe Musarawe road which has not been even given a priority by Government even to a gravel standard. And nobody, am talking about the Government, is talking about it. 

So, the people of Rumphi East are wondering whether we are Malawians or we belong to this country.” He inquired

Kalua [left] covered face to show disappointment with 2015/16 Budget 

Honorable Kalua even mentioned that Government Ministers continue to refuse setting foot in his area to appreciate number of projects him and communities are doing for themselves so that Government can help where they need help. On this he mentioned projects on girl child education for secondary school girls as well as hospital project at Paramawe in Chiweta clinic. He further mentioned a 25 year old Jarawe Health Centre which has health facility problems since it is not enjoying help from Government. 

He said Jarawe, Chitimba, Mulowe and Sarawe Community Day Secondary schools do not even desks have “Students are sitting on the floor.” He said, “Yet we are talking about 2016/17 national budget when these people are not enjoying anything.”

“Again, I want to appeal to the Government to seriously consider Rumphi-Nyika-Chitipa road, because this is a very important road for tourism and forex. If we can open up this corridor people will benefit and the country as a whole will benefit because these people will be bringing in forex.”  He said 

“People of Rumphi they are part of Malawi and we want the Government as you always say, DPP is the listening Government, to listen to their cries, to listen to their appeal, to listen to whatever that they are asking Government to do so that they also feel that they are part and parcel of this country.” Concluded Kamlepo