SVTP, African Parks hosts a ministerial delegation

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Minister of Tourism, Wildlife and Culture Dr. Micheal Usi and Deputy Minister of Transport and Public Works Nancy Chaola Mdooka on 16th September 2022 visited the SVTP construction site and the Majete Wildlife Reserve.  The visit provided an opportunity for the ministerial team to appreciate interventions in natural resources management in the wildlife reserve and restorative efforts at the SVTP construction site following the impact of Cyclone Ana in January this year.   The SVTP intake is located at Kapichira Dam which is in the Majete Reserve.

Speaking during the visit, Dr. Usi said it is the responsibility of his Ministry to ensure that natural resources in all the protected areas are conserved as these are critical for preservation of the Shire River which is the main source of water for the SVTP irrigation scheme.

Said Usi: โ€œThe SVTP is implementing a component on natural resources management in Majete Wildlife Reserve, Lengwe National Park, Mwabvi Wildlife Reserve, Matandwe Forest Reserve and the Elephant Marsh to boost conservation of natural resources.  Livelihood programs are being implemented in these protected areas like goat pass on and bee keeping among others to ensure that people desist from illegal activities like charcoal burning, illegal logging and poaching.โ€

“It is pleasing to note that there is good collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture which is the key implementing ministry and other Government Ministries to ensure that this flagship project achieves its intended purpose,โ€ he said.

On her part, Deputy Minister of Transport and Public works Mdooko said a good road network is critical in the project as construction vehicles needs access to the sites.  Manyumwa Bridge is one of the bridges in need of urgent rehabilitation as it provides access to the construction site, EGENCO and the Majete Wildlife Reserve.  The bridge was washed away during flooding.

Once completed, the SVTP will irrigate approximately 43,370 hectares in Chikwawa and Nsanje districts therefore transforming farming in the two districts from subsistence drought prone farming to all year round commercial farming.