Karonga District Council has approved a K720 billion District Development Plan (DDP) to achieve inclusive growth, environmental sustainability, social equity and economic resilience from 2024 to 2030.
Speaking on Friday during a Full Council Meeting, the council’s acting director of planning and development Khumbo Mkandawire said the DDP will guide the implementation of various development projects in the district.
She said: “Since 2017, Karonga has had no District Development Plan. Now that we have one in place, all projects will be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, regional legal frameworks, and the country’s long-term development strategy, Malawi 2063.
“The district has identified 12 key development areas, including inadequate access to potable water, poor childhood development, limited access to agriculture markets, environmental degradation and climate change as well as unsustainable energy sources. The plan will help to address these in the next six years.”
Mkandawire said some of the flagship projects to be implemented include the construction of a transit facility at Songwe Border Post, enhancing sesame production, processing and marketing as well as construction of Rukuru Complex Irrigation Scheme.
Karonga Diocese Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace desk officer Obert Mkandawire said the council should embark on a resource mobilisation drive by engaging potential partners.
He said: “We are pleased that the district now has a DDP. This will serve as a blueprint to help stakeholders align their projects with the district’s development priorities. Previously, the absence of the plan made it difficult to coordinate efforts.
“With such a large budget at K720 billion, the council must embark on an aggressive resource mobilisation and marketing campaign to attract the necessary funding, given its limited internal revenue.”
