Malawi's government faces the potential loss of MK34 billion from the World Bank after several local councils failed to submit the required documentation for the Governance to Enable Service Delivery project. Local Government and Rural Development Minister Ben Phiri warned that the funding window closes before the middle of next year and demanded immediate corrective action from underperforming councils.
During a quarterly review meeting in Salima attended by representatives from 36 district and city councils, Phiri ordered the submission of names for controlling officers who have not utilized allocated resources. He set strict deadlines for councils to liquidate funds under multiple development programs and produce implementation plans for dormant allocations.
The minister indicated that councils unable to meet accountability standards or properly justify development expenditures will be barred from receiving future disbursements. National Local Government Finance Committee Executive Director Kondwani Santhe praised the meeting for clarifying expectations around resource management while Salima District Commissioner James Mwenda characterized the gathering as an opportunity for officials to share challenges and improve service delivery approaches.
During a quarterly review meeting in Salima attended by representatives from 36 district and city councils, Phiri ordered the submission of names for controlling officers who have not utilized allocated resources. He set strict deadlines for councils to liquidate funds under multiple development programs and produce implementation plans for dormant allocations.
The minister indicated that councils unable to meet accountability standards or properly justify development expenditures will be barred from receiving future disbursements. National Local Government Finance Committee Executive Director Kondwani Santhe praised the meeting for clarifying expectations around resource management while Salima District Commissioner James Mwenda characterized the gathering as an opportunity for officials to share challenges and improve service delivery approaches.
