Karonga Lufilya legislator Abraham Mwakhwawa has urged stakeholders in the district to avoid politicizing the Reformed K5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects. He made the call during the handover of a project site for a K527 million operating theatre at Kaporo Rural Hospital in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kilupula. Mwakhwawa emphasized that it is time for development and that the community should focus on improving service delivery rather than politics.
Mwakhwawa commended the government for increasing the CDF from K200 million to K5 billion, stating that it will transform the area through flagship projects. He encouraged stakeholders to work together to ensure the successful implementation of the projects. The increased funding has raised expectations among community members, who are eager to see tangible developments in their area.
The project to construct an operating theatre at Kaporo Rural Hospital is expected to address the issue of maternal deaths caused by long distances patients have to travel to access medical services at Karonga District Hospital. T/A Kilupula welcomed the development, citing its potential to reduce infant mortality rates. The community has been plagued by high infant deaths, partly due to the long distances patients have to travel to access medical care.
Community members have expressed excitement about the project, citing the financial burden of traveling to Karonga District Hospital. Mwiza Nyirenda, a community member, mentioned that the transport fare of around K50,000 has contributed to high infant deaths. The new operating theatre is expected to alleviate this challenge and provide much-needed medical services to the community.
Karonga district commissioner Willard Mwambo cautioned contractors against substandard work, emphasizing that their selection is a testament to the council's trust in their ability to complete the project within the stipulated timeframe. He also warned against the theft of construction materials, which can derail development and lead to shoddy work. Mwambo urged contractors to exercise integrity and accountability throughout the project.
The contractor, Charles Stevens Civil and Building Construction Limited, has assured the community that they have the necessary expertise to construct a durable structure that offers value for money. The company's representative, Joshua Mzembe, stated that they will use about 60 percent of local labor and engineers to construct the operating theatre, in line with the Local Government Act. The company also pledged to be accountable and ensure transparency throughout the project.
Karonga district director of health and sanitation services David Sibale urged the community to desist from land encroachment, as more projects are planned and require vast land. Sibale emphasized the importance of cooperation and collaboration to ensure the successful implementation of development projects. The community's cooperation is crucial in ensuring that the CDF projects achieve their intended objectives and bring about positive change.
Key points
- Malawian MP Abraham Mwakhwawa urges stakeholders to avoid politicizing CDF projects.
- The K5 billion CDF projects aim to transform the area through flagship projects.
- The construction of an operating theatre at Kaporo Rural Hospital is expected to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.
