Minister of Transport and Public Works Feston Kaupa on Wednesday assured flood survivors in Nkhotakota that government will continue delivering essential supplies despite damaged roads that have disrupted transport. He made the remarks on Wednesday night during a tour of affected areas where he cheered survivors at Namadidi Camp, home to over 200 families. Following a presidential directive, the Ministry of Transport and Public Works presided over the distribution of humanitarian aid, including maize, blankets and buckets supplied by the Department of Disaster Management Affairs.
President Peter Mutharika delegated disaster management to Vice-President Jane Ansah, who is currently on a private trip to the United Kingdom. Said Kaupa: “The road network to and outside Nkhotakota is cut, making it very difficult to move supplies. We will be using boats from the military and police to ensure the continued supply of food and other essentials.” The minister himself experienced the impassable conditions when his entourage was forced to walk over a kilometre on a muddy stretch where nearly 20 vehicles got stuck.
On road restoration, Kaupa said contractors have already been engaged. He said: “The district roads have been cut from the northern, southern and western sides. We hope that the affected stretches will be restored soon, although wet conditions are delaying works.” Group village head Chopela, who is also sheltering at Chididi Secondary School Camp in Traditional Authority Kalimanjira, welcomed government’s intervention.
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“We have lost houses, food and crops. This assistance is timely and it is comforting that government has promised continued support,” he said.
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