Mutharika urges Malawians not to mismanage strategic fuel reserves
By Gladys Kamakanda
Lilongwe, December 7, 2017, Mana: President Professor Peter Mutharika has urged Malawians and officials managing the Strategic Fuel Reserves in the country not to mismanage the use of the reserves.
Mutharika made the remarks in Lilongwe Wednesday during the commissioning of the National Strategic Fuel Reserves at National Oil Company (NOCMA) Lilongwe depot. The strategic fuel reserves have been constructed in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu.
He said the three Strategic Fuel Reserve facilities which have a combined capacity of 60 million litres would ensure security and stability of fuel supply for the country.
“The current consumption trend of fuel is equivalent to two months cover for the country; the country will have enough stock to keep the economy going even when there is disruption in the supply chain system,” he said.
He said the strategic fuel reserves are the benefit of the people assuring he would support any progress aimed at ensuring the stability of the facilities and protect the interest of the country’s people because fuel is the lifeline of this nation.
Youths decry lack of special rooms for SRH services in hospitals
By Flates Banda & Synet Chitete
Mzuzu, December 7, Mana: Mzuzu Youth Association (MYA) has expressed concern over the lack of special rooms for young people in the country’s hospitals, a thing which deters many from accessing Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) services.
Speaking in an interview with the Malawi News Agency (Mana) Thursday, MYA Secretary Harris Kanyeremuka said lack of special rooms for HIV and STIs testing for young people in the hospitals has resulted in some not accessing treatment.
“Youths feel uncomfortable to access services like HIV and STI testing and treatment, Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) and condoms in the same room with the elders,” Kanyeremuka said.
Immigration Dept geared to flush out illegal immigrants during festive season
By Memory Kutengule
Blantyre, December 7, Mana: The Immigration Department says it is geared to flush out all illegal immigrants during this year’s festive season in its quest to promote security of the country and safeguard employment for Malawians.
In an interview with the Malawi News Agency on Thursday, the Immigration’ Deputy Spokesperson Wellington Chiponde said usually many irregular immigrants are overwhelmed with the season and enter or stay in Malawi illegally.
He said the immigration officials are working tirelessly to monitor, apprehend, prosecute and repatriate foreign nationals who may wish to enter or stay without proper documentations.
“We will continue playing our rightful role of managing people entering and exiting the territories of our country in order to uphold the security of the state.
One month old baby goes missing in Mbayani Township
By Charles Mphwere
Blantyre, December 7, Mana: Police in Blantyre are searching for a one month old baby who was stolen in Mbayani Township in Blantyre on Wednesday after her mother left it in the custody of a six year old sister.
Blantyre Police Public Relations Officer, Augustus Nkhwazi, said the mother of the missing baby, Bless Kalulu who is a resident of the township, left the baby in the hands of her sister at around 9 o’clock in the morning before going to the nearby stream to wash clothes.
“When the mother came back after some few minutes, she did not find the baby and she was told that some unknown woman came and offered to assist the girl in taking care of the baby.
“But when she was given the baby, the strange woman immediately went away with it to unknown location,” said the PRO.
Malawi to commemorate International Anti-corruption Day
By Chilungamo Missi
Blantyre, December 7, Mana: Malawi will on December 9, 2017 join the rest of the world in commemorating the Anti-Corruption Day which is observed internationally.
Malawi Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is organizing the event which will take place at Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe under the theme “Fight Corruption: Demand Accountability”.
Speaking in an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) Wednesday, ACB Public Relations Officer, Egrita Ndala, said the bureau has organized the event to provide platform for interaction between the bureau and its stakeholders on how best to tackle corruption issues.
“The function will be a kind of interface meeting where officials from the bureau, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Office of the Director of Public Procurement, National Media Institute of Southern Africa and the public will share notes on their contribution in the fight against corruption this year ending in Malawi,” said Ndala.
Peter Sambo to release new album, March 2018
By Lydia Kalonde
Blantyre, December 7, Mana: Gospel Musician, Peter Sambo says he is currently working on a 14 track album which is expected to be launched in March, 2018.
In an interview with Malawi News Agency on Thursday, Sambo said in the meantime he is in the studio with the Mzuzu based producers, OBK and Yesaya Nkhwazi who did his previous album “Monga Mufunira”.
The album titled, “Mtendere” (Peace), according to Sambo, features many notable names like Lulu, Allan Chirwa, Limbani Simenti, Dustan Kapitapita and Ephraim from Zambia.
Sambo, who last released an album in 2013, said the break was to reflect on life and discover what life has in store for the future.
He said among the songs in the 14 track album is a revised version of “Tachilowa Chaka” which he has done in collaboration with Dan Lu.
Tachilowa Chaka remix is an improved and dance version of the original disco beat. This production is a fusion of House and Afro Pop hence the collaboration with Malawi’s Hit maker Dan Lu.
Dedza VSLs save K0.5 billion
By Yamikani Sabola
Dedza, December 7/2017, Mana: The Dedza District Community Development Office (DCDO) says village savings and lending (VSL) groups in the district have accumulatively saved over K500,000 000.00 since January this year.
Speaking in an interview on Thursday, District Community Development Officer (DCDO) for Dedza, Mary Gama said there are over 1000 VSL groups in Dedza which were established and trained by her office as well as some other partners, including nongovernmental organisations.
“We have managed to mobilize 445 VSL groups which we have also trained in group dynamics, leadership and business management. We also acknowledge the good work being done by our NGO partners who are also establishing additional VSLs in the district,” she said.
She said the VSLs have improved the quality of life for many households as they are able to easily access soft loans to start up small businesses.
