Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) chairperson Frank Mwenifumbo has donated K600 000 to Karonga Diocese of the Catholic Church in response to its appeal issued three weeks ago.

The diocese’s Bishop Martin Mtumbuka asked for the support from well-wishers to help farmers whose crops have been affected by the dry spell in Karonga and part of Chitipa district.

In an interview, Mwenifumbo said he felt duty-bound to honour his promise to donate his sitting allowance.

Mwenifumbo (L) hands over a dummy
cheque to Monsignor Dziko

He said: “K500 000 is my humble contribution from the allowances that I get from NRWB while K100 000 came from friends and relatives’ contribution towards my 60th birthday celebrated on Saturday. I am sure this will contribute significantly towards the initiative.”

Karonga Diocese Vicar General Monsignor Laurent Dziko commended Mwenifumbo for the gesture.

He said: “If you move around, you will feel sorry for the people whose crops have wilted.

“This is why Bishop Mtumbuka appealed for support so that the vulnerable should have something to lean on.” 

Karonga district director of agriculture, environment and natural resources Raphael Mkisi said the dry spell has affected 7 175 hectares (ha) of maize, 1 958ha of rice, 1 096ha of groundnuts and 49ha of tobacco in the district.

Government spokesperson Moses Kunkuyu has assured farmers in the border district of government’s help.

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