Chief Mlauli made the statement at Magaleta in Neno on the sidelines of the AIDS candlelight memorial commemorated under the theme ‘Promoting health and Dignity together’.

Speaking in an interview, Mlauli said while the district has witnessed rapid development from 2005 when American charity Partners in Health (PIH) started programmes in the district, the bad road network has been sending away potential development partners from the district.

He disclosed that at a recent meeting, all chiefs in Neno asked the District Commissioner to arrange an audience with the president so that they voice their concern.

“The road has been on the government agenda since the MCP regime and we would like to meet the president so that we ask her to hasten the project,” he said.

Hamis Twabi District Commissioner for Neno said in an interview the bad road network was affecting the administrative machinery of the district.

He said while the Neno-Tsangano road has already been earmarked for tar-marking by government, people in Neno would like to see an urgent solution that would ease transport problems from the Neno turn off to the Boma.

“While the Neno-Tsangano road has already been earmarked for tar-marking, people would like to have an immediate solution to the first 41km that end at the Boma as they await the long term project,” said Twabi.

Neno Boma is accessible through four roads all of which are in bad shape and Matola commuters are charging K1, 700.00 for the 41km to the Boma from the turn off.

The shortest route which closes over the Lisungwi River is the most preferred one but cannot be used during the rainy season.

According to the District Commissioner, the bad road is also affecting effective health delivery system as patients at times have to be referred to Mwanza district hospital.

In another development, District Commissioner for Neno Hamis Twabi has advised people in the district to report perpetuators of HIV/Aids based stigma and Discrimination. He made the call during the Aids candle light commemorations.

He said stigmatizing people living with HIV was dividing communities and was further driving the epidemic.

“When people living with HIV are stigmatized they do not open up which is a dangerous development as they will continue to infect others,” he said.

He then advised those positively living with the virus to be responsible and avoid unprotected sexual activity to protect others.

He however was worried with what he described as loss of faithfulness in the family unit as witnessed by new HIV infections among stable couples.

“The new HIV infections in married people indicate that people are not being faithful in their married lives,” he said.

Angela Letizia projects manager at PIH which is implementing an HIV/Aids project in the district said that while her organization has implemented a successful treatment programme, the bad road network was affecting their project.

She was however quick to point out that people in the district are accessing HIV and AIDS services following the availability of quality treatment plan.

She disclosed that out of the over 4000 patients that were initiated on Antiretroviral treatment, only 10 percent have died.

Samson Njolomole External Relations Manager at PIH said it was very exciting to see Neno going out of an era where it was out of development to the present Neno.