Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) in collaboration with Ministry of Information and Communications and Technology has donated eight motorcycles to eight community radio stations in the Central Region.
The donation was made on Monday during a meeting with district information officers, community and regional broadcasters held in Mponela, Dowa District.
Speaking after the handover, Macra acting director general Mphatso Phiri said the meeting gave them an opportunity to appreciate the successes and challenges that the radio stations were facing and how to address them.
“This is basically an opportunity for us to come together and see how we are going to work together moving forward,” she said.
Minister of information and Communications Technology Shadric Namalomba said they donated the motorcycles to help ease transportation challenges that workers for the radio stations were facing.
Johns Banda, a journalist from Kasungu Community Radio station, said he was excited with the donation, saying it will go a long way in supporting the station’s tasks in the communities.
“We had a challenge in terms of transportation and this will help in that area,” he said.
Banda also said the interaction was important, saying it helped uplift the spirits of the broadcasters.
The eight community radio stations are Nkhotakota, Love, Mudziwanthu, Dowa, Yetu, Bembeke, Kasungu and Ntchisi FM.
Macra also toured Mponela Community Day Secondary school to appreciate the Connect a School Project where Macra through the Universal Service Fund is constructing a computer laboratory.
Namalomba (2nd R) hands over a motorbike to Banda as Phiri (R) looks on. | Kondwani Kandiado
