European bank VP jets in Malawi: EU delegation visits proposed Bwanje Valley
The European Investment Bank (EIB)’s vice president for Africa Pim van Ballekom arrived in Malawi on Thursday for a three-day visit to assess projects financed by the bank.
A statement from the European Union (EU) said van Ballekom would inspect successfully completed water projects supported by the EIB in Malawi.
“The bank has supported long term investments in the country including the support for water and sanitation, transport and private sector investment,” it said.
Apart from the inspection, Ballekom would also meet key government ministers, diplomatss and the local business community.
Last year, EIB provided €2.5 billion for long-term infrastructure investment and support for private sector growth in Malawi.
Meanwhile, a team of the European Union delegation to Malawi together with several Malawian government officials visited the proposed site for the construction of the Euro 10 million dam for the Bwanje Valley Irrigation Scheme in Dedza district.
The European Union is financing the construction of the dam under the support of the Agriculture Sector Wide Approach (Aswap) and the Green Belt Initiative.
During the visit, EU Head of Cooperation Lluis Navarro encouraged the local communities to be committed to the management of the catchment area to avoid soil erosion.
“I urge the communities to take care of the catchment area to avoid soil erosion which leads to siltation of the water reserviour thereby reducing the water holding capacity,” said Navarro.
The team also included the ministry of Finance, Department of Irrigation , Department of Forestry, Chairperson of the Agriculture, Irrigation, Water and Natural Resources in Parliament Felix Jumbe and legislator Julliana Lunguzi for Dedza East.
Approximately Euro 10million has been budgeted for the exercise which will go a long way in reducing dependence on rain fed agriculture.
The EU Head also said the process of the procurement for works and supervision contracts is currently in progress and construction is expected to start in March 2016.
The legislator for the Dedza East where the proposed dam is Julian Lunguzi urged the local leaders to encourage their subjects to attend all trainings which will be offered through the project in order for it to be sustainable.—Additional reporting by Fazilla Tembo, Nyasa Times
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AVOID CASHGATE ON THAT AID PLEASEEEEEE! MALAWIANS.WE DON’T WANT MILLIONS OF MPHWIYOS.LE HIM B ALONE & HIS FRIENDS.
Kodi mukamati kumalawi kuno sikukubwera alendo, mumatanthauza chiyani? Ife a DPP panopa azathu ndi anzungu basi, anamapwepwete. Osati african presidents.