DISTRICT DEVELOPMENT PLAN (DDP): BALAKA DISTRICT FOREWORD Malawi embarked on the National Decentralisation Program in 1998 after adoption of the Decentralisation policy and enactment of the Local Government Act (1998). The decentralisation process aims at enhancing community participation in governance and development by devolving Political and Administrative authority to the district level. This empowers local Authorities to plan and execute their development activities. This District Development Plan has been prepared to guide Public Investment and at the same time provide consistency and coordination of the development activities in the district. In this document, the development plan formulation process, which accommodates sector investment plan strategies, is included. It is important for the expenditure provisions to be made according to the District Investment Plan as financial resources are a vital tool in the implementation of the development projects in the district. A J Mpambira CHAIRMAN BALAKA DISTRICT ASSEMBLY INTRODUCTION On 6 th June 1998, Balaka became an autonomous district after being part of Machinga district for a long time. This has brought with it many developmental challenges, which are demanding heavy investment for Balaka to develop to at least the status of the other old districts. The socio-economic status of the district demands immediate investment in infrastructure development, improvement on communication network system, accessibility to essential services and capacity building. However, poverty reduction, HIV/AIDS and the fight against environmental degradation top the priority list. Fortunately the birth of Balaka came at the right time i.e. when the Government of Malawi is promoting a participatory poverty reduction system through decentralising development planning system to district level. This is in line with the Local government Act 1998 that stipulates that all Local Authorities (Assemblies) shall have a District Development Plan (DDP) through which poverty reduction targeting shall be made. The expected users of this plan are: District Assembly (DA) District Executive Committee (DEC) Area Executive Committees (AEC) Area Development Committees (ADC) Village Development Committees (VDC) Line Ministries Parastatal Organisations Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) Donors
The plan is divided into four chapters namely: Chapter One This chapter gives summaries of the national planning frameworks which include the Vision 2020, Poverty Reduction Strategy and Decentralisation and Governance (Decentralisation Policy). Chapter Two Chapter Two gives the mission of the district, issues, causes, and objectives as reflected in the District Development Planning Framework (DDPF) in a matrix form. Chapter Three Chapter Three contains programmes and projects. This is the translation of the strategies highlighted in the DDPF into specific courses of action which will cumulatively lead to an improvement in the living standards of the people of Balaka. Chapter Four Chapter Four looks at investment programmes. These are programmes and projects to be funded annually for the duration of the plan through internal and external resources. The programmes/projects outlined in this plan are addressing the needs/concerns of Balaka district communities hence the need for a more consistent and coordinated execution approach by involving all stakeholders within and outside the district. Once this is done, it will ensure achievement of the goal of poverty reduction. The plan is for a period of three years, however, before June 2002, the district is required to produce a Social Economic Profile to substantiate the medium term development plan to encompass the three-year period. This will allow those projects, which cannot be completed within the first year plan period to be extended into the next two years while at the same time giving room for modification and creation of new projects in the same three years. A G Chibwana District Commissioner ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This document is a result of contributions and great sacrifice by a number of people. Firstly, let me thank the Balaka DDP task force members: H.B. Banda (Deputy DHO); P.J. Namanja (PVO-Balaka RDP); D Chaweza (Project Engineer Water); T Namangale (DEM); A.M. Khauke (Projects Officer- EDETA) for their untiring efforts in preparing this document. The efforts and contributions of Messrs: L Sikwese (Deputy Director Planning and Development); Josie Manzano (Planning Advisor); Manuel Mang anya (Data Specialist); A. Malembo (Planner); A. Lwanda (Planner); Sakala (Planner); S. Chirambo (Planner) and Mwambene (Planner); Steve Zulu (Computer Analyst) are commended especially in reviewing and commenting on the earlier drafts of this document. Many thanks also go to the District Commissioner, Mr AG Chibwana and the chairman of the District Assembly, Mr A.J. Mpambira and members of the Assembly for greatly assisting the District Development Task Force team with project proposals from their wards. The Task Force members also express their gratitude to the NGOs whose contributions have enabled the production of this document. The NGOs are: PAC/NICE, NASFAM, SAVE the
Children, CCAP Projects Office, CSC, Concern Universal, WESM Balaka branch and Maphunziro Foundation. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the Norwegian Government for the financial support towards the production of this plan. C G Thyangathyanga Acting Director of Planning and Development ACRONYMS ADC AIDS BLM CDO CHAM DA DC DDP DDPF DEHO DEM DEMATT DHO DFO DIP DPD EDETA EDO EPA HIV IEC IGA MK MOH&P MPC NASFAM NICE NGO PJO PVO RDP STA TA Area Development Committee Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome Banja La Mtsogolo Community Development Officer Christian Hospitals Association of Malawi District Assembly District Commissioner District Development Plan District Development Plan Framework District Environmental Health Officer District Education Manager Development of Malawian Traders Trust District Health Officer District Forestry Officer District Investment Program Director of Planning and Development Enterprise Development and Training Agency Environmental District Officer Extension Planning Area Human Immunodeficiency Virus Information Education and Communication Income Generating Activities Malawi Kwacha Ministry of Health and Population Malawi Postal Cooperation National Smallholder Farmers Association of Malawi National Initiative for Civic Education Non Governmental Organisation Project Officer Project Veterinary Officer Rural Development Project Sub Traditional Authority Traditional Authority
TVM VLDC VNRMC Television Malawi Village Livestock Development Committee Village Natural Resources Management Committee EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The delinking of Balaka from Machinga to be a district coincided with the Decentralisation Policy. To this regard the district has a lot of developmental challenges i.e. all sectors of government need immediate attention. This development can only be achieved if there is participation of local leaders and communities in project identification and implementation. In fact about 63% of the 253,098 people of Balaka live below the poverty line. Situation analysis of the socio-economic status of Balaka reveals a wide range of problems as factors behind such high levels of poverty in Balaka. The problems are presented below in a prioritised manner as follows:! High illiteracy rate! Inadequate access to health facilities! Food insecurity! Inadequate access to essential services! Poor service delivery! Limited access to safe water! High prevalence of HIV/AIDS! Rise in crime rate! Decline in livestock production! Poor quality Education! Environmental degradation! Low household incomes In order to address these issues, Balaka district assembly has come up with programmes and projects to be implemented in period 2002-2005 at a total cost of K822, 086,780. The distribution of the cost by sector is as follows: All Sectors K822,086,780 Agriculture K 5,164,600 Health K 92,797,100 Education K147,285,080 Commerce K 6,480,000 Environment K 2,840,000 Community K 63,800,000 Security K 15,400,000 Water K126,790,000 Roads K352,400,000 Labour K 5,760,000 Telecommunication K 3,370,000
National Development Framework 1.1 Vision 2020 Vision 2020 reflects the long-term aspirations of Malawians and form the basis for short and medium-term policies and strategies. It defines national goals, policies and strategies that will help government, the private sector and society in general improve development management. Vision 2020 states that: "By the year 2020, Malawi as a God-fearing nation will be secure, democratically mature, environmentally sustainable, self-reliant with equal opportunities and active participation by all, having social services, vibrant cultural and religious values and being a technologically driven middle income country". 1.2 Poverty Reduction Strategy The Poverty Reduction Strategy is an integrated approach for articulating policies, programmes and projects in a participatory manner and reorient the strategies for poverty focus. It is a well-focussed policy document which promote rapid economic growth and ensure that the benefits of growth are equitably distributed. It also acts as a starting point for all government policy and planning activities and provides a focal point for all donor assistance to Malawi. The strategy utilises and integrates the Poverty Alleviation Programme (PAP) and other development initiatives being carried out in the country by government and the civil society into the planning process. 1.3 Decentralisation and Governance The Decentralisation Policy provides for the establishment of Local Governments as the basis and a framework for the devolution of functions, responsibilities, powers and resources to District Assemblies. As such it is a deliberate effort to ensure citizen participation in the governing process. The objectives of the policy are: a) To create a democratic environment and institutions in Malawi for governance and development of the local level, which facilitate the participation of the grassroots in decision making; b) To eliminate dual administration (field administration and local government) of the district level with the aim of making the Public Service more efficient, more economical and cost effective; c) To promote accountability and good governance at the local level in order to help government reduce poverty; and d) To mobilise the masses for socio-economic development at the local level.