Paramount Chief Kawinga has commended the role being played by the National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) towards the achievement of the mindset change among the citizens.
Kawinga made the remarks on Monday after NICE Machinga district officials made a presentation on the Six-year Project Report Dissemination and 2021-2026 Strategic Plan to District Advisory Forum (DAF) members and other stakeholders.
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The chief said things have changed for the better in Machinga district as citizens have realized their potential in taking the duty bearers to the task.
He said in the past, citizens were failing to make follow-ups on issues that concern them as they were fearing those who were leading them.
“NICE has played a crucial role in changing the people’s mindset in the district. In the past, people felt that what they were doing was right despite its negative impact on them.
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With NICE engaging people through different platforms such as awareness, most of the people’s mindsets have changed for the better. They are able to hold us accountable which was not the case in the past,” said Paramount Chief Kawinga.
Paramount Chief Kawinga however asked NICE public trust to do more in implementing programs that will help the people to understand the importance of conserving natural resources.
He said it is worrisome that people are still destroying natural resources such as trees which in turn contribute negatively to the effects of climate change.
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“Let me take this opportunity to ask NICE public trust to consider coming up with initiatives that will help the people understand the importance of taking care of the natural resources. They have to understand that the current situation such as droughts, and water flooding just to mention a few are being experienced due to their bad behaviors of not taking care of such natural resources.
“I am very optimistic that NICE is capable of making sure that people change their mindset as far as taking care of natural resources is concerned,” said Paramount Chief Kawinga.
Machinga NICE public trust district education and civic officer Clemence Sendeza said he is optimistic that the 2021/2026 NICE Strategic plan will help to transform the civic education and governance sector thereby addressing issues raised by the Paramount Chief.
“The Strategic Plan for 2021-2026 seeks to build on the successes of the previous one, address challenges encountered and address new and emerging issues in the environment that NICE operates as well as internal issues as the Trust undertakes its transformation process,” said Sendeza