Poor quality of assets affecting Climate Smart program

Authorities in the Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Program (CS-EPWP) in Mchinji district are not satisfied with the standards of climate change interventions structures that are created by the communities to help in containing climate change shocks that directly affect their farming activities.

The authorities disclosed this during a tour to Nathyola, Luzare and Kampholo CS-EPWP catchments areas in the district.

While commending members of the community for the job they have done, the authorities in the program feel there are quality gaps in the creation of Check dams, Swallies, infiltration pits and marker ridges.

The programme’s desk officer in the district Rhoda Njikho said the assets being created are of substandard due to lack of technical training and improper timing.

“Generally, the creation of the assets is supposed to be done after a short training by field officers, as such, the substandards in the structures can be attributed to a lack of technical training to the community members.

“Additionally, the assets are supposed to be created in the dry season but it seems these (assets) were created in the rainy season where runoff waters have compromised the standards,” she said.

Meanwhile, project facilitator for the CS-EPWP at the Mchinji District Council, Thandie Sukali, is of the view that in the near future the program will start engaging experts in the public works activities.

“We have observed that lack of professional expertise has affected the output of some subprojects. In the near future we shall be engaging those with professional backgrounds in Agriculture, Land Resources as well as Climate so that we can improve on the objectives of the project, ” said Sukali.

The program focuses on Integrated Watershed Management (IWM) and has subprojects such land resources conservation, afforestation, natural regeneration and sustainable livelihoods.

The beneficiaries in the program receive wages amounting to K28,800 on every 24 working days cycle in a particular subproject integrated into public works.

The program is being implemented by the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) with funding from the World Bank and multi donor trust fund partners such as USAID, UK-FCDO, European Union, Ireland, Iceland and Norway.