By George Mhango
Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has announced plans to engage the Secretary to the Treasury regarding the failure of several Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to settle outstanding water bills with the Blantyre Water Board (BWB).
PAC Chairperson Steve Baba Malondera disclosed this on Friday following an oversight visit to the Mudi Catchment Area, Chileka Pumping Station, and Walker’s Ferry in Blantyre.
The tour served as a follow-up to a recent audit query investigating how the public utility is utilising World Bank funds aimed at boosting water production, supply, and implementing sanitation and hygiene projects for city residents.
Malondera stated that the committee is highly satisfied with the audit follow-up, confirming that BWB management is utilising the donor funds for their exact intended purposes.
However, the chairperson expressed deep concern over government institutions dragging their feet on operational bills.
“It is worrisome that some government institutions, such as the Prison Service, Malawi Police, and public health facilities, fail to settle their bills despite receiving annual budgetary allocations for this purpose,” Malondera said, warning that the debt severely cripples BWB’s operational capacity.
Meanwhile, BWB Board Chairperson Stanley Chirwa, who was flanked by BWB chief executive officer Yeremiah Chihana, assured the public that the utility has lined up various projects to guarantee an uninterrupted water supply for both residents and institutions.
“The installation of new equipment at Walker’s Ferry has already significantly helped address water challenges in the city,” Chirwa noted.
This follows an announcement to city residents last month that on-going maintenance and infrastructure upgrades would drastically improve overall water production and supply.
