Members who are participants in Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme, under Songani catchment, have committed themselves to do everything possible to ensure that the river does not miss its course.

One of the participants, Samwell Frackson, told a district level taskforce on Wednesday that rehabilitation of Naisi River was done based lessons drawn from last year when the river caused devastation to people.

Frackson said when Tropical Cyclone Freddy affected the country, including parts of Zomba, Naisi River lost its course, damaging crops in the fields of many farmers.

“First of all, let me commend the programme for considering that we rehabilitate this river. With the maintenance works we are carrying now, we are sure that we will reduce negative impact that the river would cause on our fields,” he added.

Village Head Kapitikusya, whose area was heavily affected, said rehabilitating Naisi River will regulate water flow and people in the area will no longer experience crop damage.

“Apart from the resources that the programme has, we have also contributed some construction materials such as bamboos, pangas and trees to be used when constructing wood walls along the river,” Kapitikusya said, adding that this was one way of appreciating the programme intervention.

Apart from constructing wood walls along the river, members will also block damaged areas with sacks filled with soil.

Land Resource and Programme Officer Chimwemwe Chimbaza expressed satisfaction with the progress registered in the programme.

Chimbaza said almost all the 18 catchments in the district have started implementing activities that include check dams, swales, tree regeneration and construction of stone bands.

CS-EPWP is a World Bank funded programme and aims as restoring the environment through various interventions.

By Solister Mogha-MANA