Minister of Energy and Mining Jean Mathanga has hailed JCM Power for supporting the construction of the $213 796.07 (about K383 796) Katawa Community Day Secondary School (CDSS) in Salima District.
The minister said yesterday during the opening of the school in Kanzimbe Village, Senior Chief Kalonga that the facility symbolises the independent power producer’s (IPP) commitment to empower the community.
Mathanga, who also toured the company’s 60-megawatt (MW) solar electricity generation plant in Salima, said the school reflects JCM Power’s dedication to giving back to communities through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy focusing on improving access to education, health, water and livelihoods.
She said: “Schools like this one are the backbone of our development, empowering our youth and driving growth and it’s a testament to JCM Power’s foresight that they have chosen to prioritise education as a key focus area for their CSR efforts.”
The minister also applauded JCM Power for its contribution to Malawi’s energy sector and its role in supporting economic growth through its two power generating sites at Kanzimbe in Salima and Golomoti in Dedza where it produces 20MW.
JCM Power chief executive officer Jon Bahen said the company constructed the school as part of its CSR having established a good relationship with the community and to assure them that the company is part of the community.
“For JCM it is the partnership with the community, and having understanding what their needs are and how we can support them, that is part of our DNA. After engaging with them we realised that basic education was one of the greatest challenges,” he said.
Meanwhile, Salima district acting director of education Often Gadabu said many children in the area were dropping out of school due to limited access to secondary education.
He also said the school still requires other additional facilities, including houses of teachers, school office and a borehole, to ensure sanitation.
In 2022, JCM Power also handed over a K10 million worth clinic to Katawa Community in Senior Chief Kalonga’s area in Salima District.
