Tag archives: Ben Phiri

Minister Ben Phiri hails newly rehabilitated road that will boost farming,  unlock  David Livingstone grave site

By Nyasa Times News Desk

Government has expressed satisfaction with the rehabilitation of the Magomero turn-off to Namadzi River Road, carried out under Phase Two of the Regional Climate Resilience Programme (RCRP), praising its potential to transform economic activity in the surrounding area. In an interview Nyasa Times monitored on  Capital FM after personally touring the newly rehabilitated route, Minister […]

Read full story — Minister Ben Phiri hails newly rehabilitated road that will boost farming,  unlock  David Livingstone grave site

Minister Ben Phiri opens Dedza water project, calls for end to vandalism

By Nyasa Times News Desk

  The Malawian government has called on communities to take greater ownership of public infrastructure and resist vandalism, as officials seek to safeguard investments made in rural development projects across the country. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Phiri made the appeal in Dedza district during the official opening of the Bwanali Water […]

Read full story — Minister Ben Phiri opens Dedza water project, calls for end to vandalism

Minister Ben Phiri rewards fully-staffed department with lunch allowance during surprise office tour

By Nyasa Times News Desk

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Phiri conducted an unannounced tour of office sections within his ministry on Monday morning, aimed at recognising the work of officers and encouraging staff who consistently prioritise service delivery. During the visit, the Minister singled out for praise those sections that recorded full staff attendance, observing that […]

Read full story — Minister Ben Phiri rewards fully-staffed department with lunch allowance during surprise office tour

Ben Phiri’s whirlwind Thyolo visit: Market groundbreaking followed by chieftaincy elevations

By Nyasa Times News Desk

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Dr Ben Malunga Phiri touched down in Thyolo District Saturday a packed schedule, presiding over the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Thyolo Modern Market under the TRADE Programme — a project set to transform the district’s trading environment and give local businesses a much-needed economic boost. […]

Read full story — Ben Phiri’s whirlwind Thyolo visit: Market groundbreaking followed by chieftaincy elevations

New dashboard lets President track every kwacha of development spending in real time

By Nyasa Times News Desk

President Peter Mutharika will now be able to personally keep tabs on the progress of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) projects right from his own office, after the government unveiled a powerful new digital dashboard designed to deliver real-time updates on community projects across the country.   The Reformed CDF Dashboard was officially launched on Friday […]

Read full story — New dashboard lets President track every kwacha of development spending in real time

Ben Phiri unveils Malawi’s real-time CDF dashboard as minister flags ‘erosion of trust’ risk in councils

By Nyasa Times News Desk

The Malawian government has launched a new digital dashboard intended to improve transparency and accountability in the management of Constituency Development Fund (CDF) resources, even as the finance minister warned local authorities against a decline in financial oversight standards. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Malunga Phiri launched the platform on Friday at […]

Read full story — Ben Phiri unveils Malawi’s real-time CDF dashboard as minister flags ‘erosion of trust’ risk in councils

Ben Phiri slams ‘unacceptable’ leak of bombshell K5bn audit letter — takestakes sly swipe at Finance Minister over control of Audit Office

By Nyasa Times News Desk

  Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Phiri has hit out furiously after a leaked letter from the Auditor-General exposing audit queries worth over K5 billion made its way into the public domain — insisting the explosive document does not prove a single kwacha of public money has been mismanaged. Speaking at the […]

Read full story — Ben Phiri slams ‘unacceptable’ leak of bombshell K5bn audit letter — takestakes sly swipe at Finance Minister over control of Audit Office

Govt unleashes rural market revolution as Minister Phiri warns contractors: “No room for failure”

By NyasaAuthor1

Government has launched an ambitious programme to transform rural trade and agricultural commercialization, with Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Phiri promising strict oversight to ensure new markets are completed on time, meet quality standards and deliver value for public money. Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Chimbiya Priority Market in Dedza […]

Read full story — Govt unleashes rural market revolution as Minister Phiri warns contractors: “No room for failure”

Phiri vows K5bn CDF won’t be cut by a single kwacha — as Minister insists councils in control of their destiny

By Nyasa Times News Desk

Malawi’s Local Government Minister has issued a defiant vow that the country’s controversial K5 billion Constituency Development Fund will remain untouched, flatly rejecting mounting calls from critics to slash the eye-watering allocation. Ben Phiri told Parliament that development planning has now been fully handed over to local councils, insisting resources previously hoarded at the centre […]

Read full story — Phiri vows K5bn CDF won’t be cut by a single kwacha — as Minister insists councils in control of their destiny

Ben Phiri says market investments will boost councils’ local revenue

By Nyasa Times News Desk

Minister of Local Government Ben Phiri has reaffirmed that Malawi’s decentralisation agenda is shifting decision-making and resources away from central government and towards local councils, positioning communities as the primary drivers of development. Speaking after a parliamentary sitting, Phiri said government had moved resources back to councils, with central government now focused on providing policy […]

Read full story — Ben Phiri says market investments will boost councils’ local revenue

Minister Phiri dismisses ‘speculative’ claims of CDF delays as MP raises alarm

By Nyasa Times News Desk

Minister of Local Government has hit back at claims his own department is dragging its feet on rolling out crucial development funds, insisting everything is running smoothly despite mounting concerns from MPs on the ground. Dr Ben Malunga Phiri dismissed suggestions that local councils were causing delays to the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) and other […]

Read full story — Minister Phiri dismisses ‘speculative’ claims of CDF delays as MP raises alarm

Kasungu now has 16 Senior Chiefs following Mnyanja’s historic elevation

By Nyasa Times News Desk

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Dr Ben Phiri, has issued a stirring call for the country’s traditional leaders to govern with honesty and integrity, insisting leadership must always serve to improve the welfare of ordinary people. The minister delivered his message during the elevation of Traditional Authority Mnyanja of Kasungu to the rank […]

Read full story — Kasungu now has 16 Senior Chiefs following Mnyanja’s historic elevation

Minister says government ‘will not tolerate’ witchcraft accusations against elderly

By Nyasa Times News Desk

Malawi’s Minister of Local Government, Dr  Ben Malunga Phiri, has said high illiteracy and poverty are the main drivers behind attacks on elderly people over witchcraft accusations in the country. Phiri made the remarks in Mzimba on Sunday during a stakeholder engagement, held in the wake of a recent case in which three people died […]

Read full story — Minister says government ‘will not tolerate’ witchcraft accusations against elderly

Chitipa’s K7.4bn market branded a ‘game changer’ — but Phiri warns builders to stay in line

By Nyasa Times News Desk

A cabinet minister has issued a blistering warning to contractors building the K7.4 billion Kapoka Modern Market in Chitipa — telling them they will face penalties if they dare cut corners on the flagship project. Local Government and Rural Development Minister Dr Ben Malunga Phiri delivered the stern message on Saturday during a high‑profile groundbreaking […]

Read full story — Chitipa’s K7.4bn market branded a ‘game changer’ — but Phiri warns builders to stay in line

Malawi govt shifts to demand‑driven projects: Ben Phiri launches K6.8bn Mkondezi Market

By Nyasa Times News Desk

Government says it will continue prioritising community‑identified development projects, arguing that demand‑driven investments strengthen ownership, accountability and long‑term sustainability. This was said on Friday by Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Dr Ben Malunga Phiri during the launch of the K6.8 billion Mkondezi Market in Senior Chief Mkumbira’s area in Nkhata Bay, constructed under […]

Read full story — Malawi govt shifts to demand‑driven projects: Ben Phiri launches K6.8bn Mkondezi Market

Ben Phiri insists cash flowing for constituency fund, hits back at MPs’ claims

By Nyasa Times News Desk

Local Government Minister Dr  Ben Malunga  Phiri has fired back at claims government has no money to implement the reformed Constituency Development Fund (CDF), insisting the rollout is well and truly underway. Phiri was grilled in Parliament on Tuesday after several MPs accused government of struggling to get the reformed fund off the ground due […]

Read full story — Ben Phiri insists cash flowing for constituency fund, hits back at MPs’ claims

Ben Phiri: CDF to become ‘people-centred’ as minister vows to end funding chaos

By Nyasa Times News Desk

Malawi’s Local Government Minister has unveiled a major shake-up of the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), insisting the controversial pot of public money will now be driven by what communities actually need — rather than what officials decide to hand out. Dr Ben Malunga Phiri made the bombshell announcement in Parliament as he faced pointed questioning […]

Read full story — Ben Phiri: CDF to become ‘people-centred’ as minister vows to end funding chaos
accused the opposition of shameless hypocrisy over a stalled fertiliser factory project

Minister Phiri leads chorus of praise for ‘Mkulukutamoyo’ in fiery parliamentary answer

By Nyasa Times News Desk

A Malawian cabinet minister turned parliament into a stage for presidential praise-singing on Tuesday afternoon, showering President Arthur Peter Mutharika with glowing tributes during a session meant to answer MPs’ questions. Minister of Local Government Dr Ben Malunga Phiri led the chorus of adulation, crediting the President’s “proven leadership” as the key to hope for […]

Read full story — Minister Phiri leads chorus of praise for ‘Mkulukutamoyo’ in fiery parliamentary answer