Govt impressed with Comsip progress

Government says Community Savings and Investment Promotion (Comsip) projects are transforming lives in the country.

Director of Public Affairs Unit in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) Isaac Cheke Ziba said this in Blantyre on Wednesday during a visit to some Comsip cooperative unions.

Ziba said Comsip projects are in line with government’s vision of reducing poverty creating wealth.

He said through Comsip projects, government encourages communities to use their resources to transform lives.

“Comsip projects are changing the welfare of communities. Through Comsip, people are doing small businesses such as candle-making, goat-rearing, pigs and mushroom growing.

“Government wants to fight poverty and Comsip projects are one of the comprehensive strategies that have been put in place to fight the vice,” said Ziba.

He said government is aware of lack of markets some cooperatives are facing.

“Do not be discouraged that there is no market of some produce. Keep on producing because once the market is discovered, they will need the produce in larger quantities,” he said.

Ziba visited Mtikita Cooperative of Traditional Authority (T/A) Somba’s area and Mthawira Cooperative of T/A Machinjiri’s area.

Lewis Mdoka, chairperson of Mtikita Cooperative, said through Comsip, they have built good houses and paid school fees for their children.

Mthawira Cooperative vice-chairperson Egily Masale said they want to expand their business.

“Our group plans to explore other business opportunities apart from growing mushrooms and making candles,” said Masale.

Mtikita Cooperative, which started in 2010, has 75 members while Mthawira Cooperative, which was established in 2004, has 22 members.