By Glory Msowoya
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Francis Kasaila has urged traditional leaders in Nsanje District to take a leading role in observing that people who are using unchartered routes are screened of the Coronavirus.
Kasaila, who is also a member of special cabinet committee on Covid-19,made the remarks Friday during a sensitization meeting with key stakeholders in the fight against the virus at Marka border post in Nsanje District.
During the meeting, he learnt that Nsanje District has seven illegal routes hence the call to the chiefs to be vigilant in making sure that all people from other countries like South Africa and Mozambique were using the border so that they should be screened and follow other measures.
“We had a meeting with key stakeholders here at Marka border post on how best to help each other to contain the spread of Coronavirus in the country.
“I have heard a number of challenges here;one of them is that people are using unchartered routes from South Africa and Mozambique. For police officers to provide the needed security in those places, it is becoming difficult in terms of mobility,” Kasaila said.
The Minister highlighted that government was committed to deal with challenges faced so that Marka border was secured.
He said that, “I am impressed with the works being done at the border and government will work on the challenges highlighted so that we support the people here to make sure that our borders are secured.
Traditional Authority (TA)Ndamera admitted that a lot of people were using unchartered routes, defying the Marka border which was posing a threat on the efforts to fight Covid-19 in the country.
While indicating that he had already started reporting illegal immigrants to the Police and Health personnel’s in the district.
TA Ndamera noted that the number of Police officers to make patrols on the borders was small hence calling on the government to consider addressing the challenge.
A MedicalPersonnel at Nsanje District Hospital, Gilbert Chapweteka said they have registered 2,740 people from Mozambique entering the country through Marka border since December 31, 2019 but no one showed signs and symptoms of Covid-19.
“So far in Nsanje we haven’t tested any because there are regulations that we use to test someone. But within the period of 14 days which we were suppose to monitor them no one showed any signs and symptoms,” he said.
The meeting was attended by officials from Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, health personnel’s, officials from Immigration Department, Malawi Police Service officers, chiefs and community members.
