Ministry Urges Councilors to Prioritize Flagship Projects

Malawi: The Ministry of Local Government, Unity, and Culture is urging all councillors and council secretariats to prioritize flagship and completed projects, writes Tionge Hara.

People have lost trust in the system, according to Owen Chamanika, Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity, and Culture, which is why councillors and the council secretariat are being called in to discuss issues.

"We need to deliver. It's always disappointing to see why government things are very expensive yet the money used is not valued," he said.

Chomanika emphasized that the lost suspicion between MPs and councillors should go away, as it's this that kills innocent citizens.

Richard Chapweteka, the Chairperson of the National Local Government Finance Committee, mentioned that in the 2023–24 year, they will start with unfinished projects in local councils, and only those with a flagship will be approved.

"Whether you like it or not, that's the direction we are taking, and councils have to choose one project to be implemented," he said.

"We won't be tolerating a house project for the headteacher this year, and then the next year a school block. No, we need to tackle one project at a time."

Chapweteka also emphasized that all school blocks and houses from Chitipa to Nsanje will have the same standards and designs, quality infrastructure, and value for money, which means no corruption, no theft, and no fraud.

One of the councillors present from Likoma District, Ernest GuluBanda, agreed with the deputy on the flagship packaged project.