SONA 2025: Chakwera addresses people of Nkhata-Bay on infrastructure and food security
President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera has promised continued development for the people of Nkhatabay District, emphasising his government’s commitment to improving the region’s infrastructure and food security.
During the opening of the 51st session of Parliament, in Lilongwe, the President highlighted the significant progress made in the past four years, particularly in the area of food security. He noted that his administration has made substantial strides, including the construction of a 450-hectare Linga Irrigation Scheme, one of 16 new irrigation projects, covering a total of 2,215 hectares.
Under the Green Belt Authority, the government has also started rehabilitating existing irrigation schemes, restoring 100 hectares and completing water intake works. Plans are in place to construct additional irrigation schemes to further boost agricultural productivity.
Chakwera reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working with the Nkhata-bay Land Management Organisation to restore lands, a partnership that has been ongoing for the past five years.
The government has also collaborated with the World Food Programme to support food security initiatives. As participants graduate from the programme, they are encouraged to form farming unions to support 11 mega-farmers and 425 regular farmers, who will receive loans for seed procurement.
In addition, President Chakwera said that government has provided 2,296 metric tons of maize, valued at K1.1 billion, to support 10,494 families struggling with food insecurity.
Furthermore, loans amounting to K3.1 billion were disbursed to 4,506 individuals through the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF).
Social cash transfers have benefited 6,470 vulnerable households, and 14,176 people have received assistance through the Climate Smart Enhancement Programme, aimed at enhancing climate resilience and economic opportunities.
He said that to further expand economic opportunities, government has connected 2,475 households to electricity through the Malawi Rural Electrification Program (MAREP) and an additional 4,849 households through solar energy.
Chakwera also emphasised the government’s investment in human development, pointing to the construction of five health posts funded by the Community Development Fund (CDF) over the past four years.
Additionally, the administration has made significant strides in infrastructure, including the construction of four administration blocks, 10 teachers’ houses, 109 wells, five water systems, 370 kilometers of rural roads, 23 bridges, and three markets.
He highlighted that Nkhata-bay Bay Water Supply and Sanitation Project, now completed, is providing safe water to 105,000 people, significantly improving the living conditions of the community.
