Malawi Economic Justice Network (Mejn) has engaged officials from Mangochi District and municipal council to validate projects proposed under the reformed K5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF).
The meeting followed Parliament’s approval of the 2026/27 National Budget on March 24, which allocated K10.978 trillion for interventions, including the reformed CDF pegged at K5 billion per constituency.
Among others, the meeting heard that Mangochi District Council plans to upgrade Chapola Health Post into a health centre, construct Nswanthaka Road, build Chiunjiza Secondary School, construct a fence at Jalasi Health Centre, construct Kanyenga Dispensary and upgrade Monkey Bay Market.
Mangochi Municipal Council also plans to renovate Mangochi Town Hall, upgrade the stadium, construct a modern bus depot and improve the town’s drainage system.
Speaking after the meeting, Mejn Southern Region coordinator Mike Banda expressed satisfaction with the planned projects.
“The primary focus of the meeting was to validate the projects and although communities had mixed views on priorities and costs, we are satisfied because this is the first time under the reformed CDF and we expect the process to improve as we move forward,” he said.
Banda, however, expressed concern over delays in implementing the projects.
“Our biggest concern is that time is no longer on our side because more than four months have elapsed since the budget was approved,” he said.
Mangochi District Council chief planning officer Newton Munthali said the council has started advertising for bids to identify contractors.
“We are now advertising for bids to identify contractors who will carry out the projects,” he said
Mangochi Municipal Council director of planning and development Fortune Msukwa said the municipality is also ready to roll out its projects.
Mejn held the meeting under the Fighting Inequality project funded by Norad through Norwegian Church Aid and DanChurchAid.
Banda stresses a point during the meeting. | Ayamba Kandodo
