K6.8m starch making project stalls in Rumphi

Malawians, who were hoping to benefit from a K6.8 million (about $40 718) starch making project at Jalawe in Rumphi, will have to wait longer as the project has stalled due to lack of funding.

Weekend Nation’s visit to the project site during the week witnessed people of the area using the facility as a maize mill and not for starch making.

The project was officially launched by the minister of Agriculture and Food security professor Peter Mwanza last year.

The project’s chairperson, McSydney Chisiza, and Traditional Authority (T/A) Jalavikuwa told Weekend Nation on Tuesday the project has stalled because it was rushed.

“Yes, we have got a financial crisis here because we were hoping to raise close to K500 000 (about $3 000) from the World Bank, the African Development Bank (ADB) and well-wishers who are yet to fulfil their pledges they made late last year,” Chisiza said.

He said once funds are available, they will be used to purchase cement and tiles which are essential for the project.

Chisiza said he has since communicated to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to facilitate the speedy funding of the projected.

But speaking in a telephone interview recently, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Professor Peter Mwanza said the issue was news to him.

“[I don’t have information that] the project has stalled. Anyway, I will find out from the authorities and comeback to you,” Mwanza said.

During the plant’s inauguration, Mwanza said the project was meant to improve people’s livelihoods.