Minister Tembo impressed with Raiply Malawi Limited
Minister of Forestry and Natural Resources, Nancy Tembo has expressed need for government to support Raiply Malawi Limited and other huge investments that export products outside the country.
The minister said this on Monday after touring Raiply Company Limited concession areas and the factor
Tembo said she was impressed with Raiply Malawi Limited’s investment in value addition of timber and wood waste in the factory.
“Raiply is contributing to the socio-economic development of the country through value addition and development of an export market and creation of employment,” she said.
She disclosed that government is in the process of strengthening the role of the private sector in the management of forest resources in order to restore 4.5 million hectares of degraded forest landscapes in the country.
“I have heard the challenges of forest fire and illegal harvesting of wood. We really need to intensify civic education to surrounding communities,” Tembo said.
Government engaged Raiply in the 1990s, initially as a private company, which was believed to have the competence and capacity to invest in sustainable forest management and value addition.
Raiply Malawi Limited Public Relations Officer, Dalitso Chimwala, said the company was trying its best to restore the man-made forest popularly known as Chikangawa Forest.
He said Raiply has lost 200 hectares of pine trees to forest fire this year alone, a development he described as a setback in the afforestation drive.
“We have 20, 000 hectares under our concession but 200 hectares of pine trees have been destroyed due to forest fire. There are other unpatriotic Malawians who are doing this just to frustrate our efforts,” he complained.
But did you ask them about how they are treating their women employee. We have read in newspaper about the abuse. As much as we need foreign investors we want them to respect people of Malawi.
The Chinese and Indians are very bad people and very racists. Mzungu from USA, England, Australia, Canada and New Zealand is much better when it comes to treating employees not the Indians and Chinese. Their salaries are bad and they work people like donkeys.
The fires are really a problem which need to be sorted out. Raiply are failing to put in place measures to stop them. Previous government had strong system of managing the fires. The approach these days is to engage communities who can benefit from the forest itself. Inu a Nancy Tembo you have a lot of work to do. The charcoal business is moving to the northern region. This must stop. Malawi is already looking like at desert. Firewood is becoming scarce.
As she’s drawing allowances. Obviously she should be impressed.
Stop being naive. Of course she must draw sn allowances its her right you would also. Focus on what Hon Tembo is there for. We have 4.5 million hectare to restore. Thats why our Minister is pushing for. Her rightful allowances are not the issue.