Communities in Phalombe Tout GESD Project As Game Changer

Construction of Mkhumba Resource Centre under way Construction of Mkhumba Resource Centre under way - pic by Ronnex Chiwanda

Communities in Phalombe say implementation of projects under Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) is paying dividends.

Chairperson for Mkhumba Youth Network, Moses Kathumba has told Zodiak Friday, awarding of funds based on the council’s performance has seen the long awaited Mkhumba Youth Resource Centre constructed.

Kathumba claims for eight years, they have been lobbying for the construction of a K30 million facility but nothing worked as the two funding windows, Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and District Development Fund (DDF) could finance the project.

“Once completed, the centre will transform lives of young people through various skills the facility intends to offer,” he said.

Group Village Head Namalima under Traditional Authority Nazombe said construction of Mauzi Health Post will ease mobility challenges as they walk 15 Kilometers to Gogo Nazombe Health Centre in pursuit of quality health services.

Namalima said her subjects cough around K7000 to pay Kabanza Operators to access maternal health services, arguing construction of the facility will help in reducing long distances while seeking medical attention.

“Lives have been lost when going to the Gogo Nazombe Health facility due to long distance”, said Namalima.

On his part, Byson Zikachepa of Ligomeka village, T/A Jenala believes upgrading of Chithumbwi- Chivulamalaya road will avert challenges people face when going to Maliro market and Mkhwayi Health Centre respectively.

Zikachepa said the road becomes almost impassable during the rainy season due to mad and this force people to use Maliro- Chitekesa- Mkhwayi road forcing expectant women to deliver babies on the road in the process.

Meanwhile, Phalombe District Commissioner, Rodrick Mateauma, said projects under GESD will help in transforming lives of people.

“Local revenue and the two funding windows of CDF and DDF could not finance these projects, GESD is a game changer,” he said.

In the 2021/ 2022 financial year, Phalombe District Council got a boost in its development budget to the tune of K178 million.

Projects benefiting from a World Bank funded project include, Mauzi Health Post, Chithumbwi-Chivulamalaya road, Mkhumba Youth Resource Centre and upgrading of Chiringa- Sukasanje road.

The project is facilitated by Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Finance and National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) as key lead partners.

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