Minister Affirms Funds for Massive Malawi Hunger Relief Project
During a visit to construction sites in Chikwawa district, Kawale said the government is ready to support the SVTP to meet its intended purpose of curbing hunger.
CHIKWAWA, Malawi— Malawi's Agriculture Minister Sam Kawale affirmed Friday that the government has secured resources to complete the multi-billion kwacha Shire Valley Transformation Programme, a massive project aimed at addressing hunger in the country once operational, writes Cornelius Lupenga.
During a visit to construction sites in Chikwawa district, Kawale said the government is ready to support the SVTP to meet its intended purpose of curbing hunger.
"The government is ready to support the SVTP in order to meet its intended purpose of curbing hunger in Malawi," Kawale said.
His remarks came a day after the Parliamentary Committee on Budget and Finance toured the project sites.
Committee chairperson Gladys Ganda, who is also the MP for Nsanje Lalanje, said her committee will lobby the finance minister for required funds.
"The project is the country's project hence the need to be fully supported," Ganda said.
SVTP Coordinator Dr. Stanely Chakhumbira Khaila said construction is progressing well but an additional $150 billion is needed to complete the 118-kilometer stretch from Chikwawa to Nsanje.
Two agricultural cooperatives, Kambandwe and Mwanaalirenji, are slated to become operational by December 2024 as part of the project.