Central Karonga

Karonga Central Constituency is a very fertile area which can grow a range of crops such as maize, cassava, rice, cotton, bananas, pineapples, paw paws, cashew nuts, beans, peas and sorghum,. The area is also capable of sustaining livestock breeding and production. The constituency is prone to periodic flooding as well as to periodic drought. Appropriate harvesting and utilization of water could go a long way to ameliorate these problems and provide the much-needed irrigation to raise agricultural productivity and output in this area. Currently the area has no electricity; this has been a major factor in inhibiting the development of the area. Supply of reliable electricity will be one of the priorities of this manifesto.

This manifesto explores ways of dealing with this issue and how to assist fishermen of the Karonga Central Constituency on ways of improving their fishing activities. Furthermore, it will also explore the scope for expanding activities related to the fishing industry, such as fish processing, marketing of services and products, boat building, and engine repair.

An integrated rural development programme needs too deal with all facets of rural development and livelihood. Such an approach requires focusing not only on economic and developmental issues, but also on issues of social development and protection, such as availability of health services and education. The Present Government’s idea of “Rural Growth Centers” is an effort to try and bring development to the rural areas. In this manifesto, we identify the following focus areas as natural growth hubs for the constituency, and will work with Government to ensure their development into rural growth centers. These areas are: Mlare Trading Centre, Lupembe Trading Centre, Mwenilondo Trading Centre and Katili Trading Centre. Further development of rural Growth Centres would include Gumi Trading Centre, Ndebwela Trading Centre, Chiwondo Trading Centre and Lughali Trading Centre.

As regards health services, there is need for a broad improvement of delivery of health services in the constituency. This will require not only improving health centers, but also improving delivery of health care services as well as the delivery of life-saving drugs, particularly those for HIV/Aids. In connection with raising standards of education in the constituency, efforts will need to be intensified in trying to raise the quality of educational facilities as well as the quality of teaching personnel. Modern education requires access to information technology and communication (ICT) and accordingly major efforts will be made to improve access to ICT for secondary and primary education in the constituency.

Finally, as regards natural resources and mining, requests will be made to the Malawi Government to undertake an extensive geological survey of the constituency to determine the viability of mineral resources. The mountain ranges could contain undiscovered mineral deposits and gem stones. Furthermore, the Lake Shore area could also contain hidden resources, which could be exploited for the good of the people.