Living standards of Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) participants in Nkhata-Bay District are said to have drastically improved with the wages they receive.
This came out on Tuesday during a media tour to appreciate how families under the programme utilise the money which they are given.
Oxton Maona from the Mpamba catchment area of Senior Chief Timbiri, said he has started a piggery business — giving him hope of sustaining his family.
“I received K28,800 in the second cycle with which I bought my first pig and I did the same in the the third cycle and now I have two pigs,” Maona said.
Peter Mwase, another participant from Samulomo Village, said the money has enabled him to complete electricity wiring of his house and will save his next package to pay electricity connection fees.
Group Village Head Mtowa thanked the government for increasing wages under the programme from K28,800 to K38,400 as it aligns with the pressing needs of rural people amid a tough economic climate.
Nkhata Bay District Project Facilitator for CS-EPWP, Edward Ngwemba, said it is the government’s aspiration to curb poverty through the programme, apart from conserving the environment.
“As a district, we have just finished validation of eligible names to be added into the programme as government is increasing number of participants across the country and Nkhata Bay will add 2,195 more to the current 11, 233 participants of the program,” Ngwemba said.
CS-EPWP is a government initiative under Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project implemented by National Local Government Finance Committee, with financial support from Multi-Donor Trust Fund and World Bank.
By Chisomo Kambandanga, MANA
