K200m allocated for Mombera University – MPs query Finance Minister on Malawi universities

The Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development, Goodall Gondwe, has said government is still discussing with potential donors for the construction of Mombera University in Mzimba.

Dzoole Mwale: Why  Luanar vote was revised downwards.
Dzoole Mwale: Why Luanar vote was revised downwards.

Gondwe said this after he was questioned on the K200 million allocations for the university in the budget.

First to raise the matter was Malawi Congress Party (MCP) MP for Mchinji North East, Alex Chitete.

Here we go: President Mutharika seems to be saying after unveiling a plaque for Mombera University - Pic by Stanley Makuti
Here we go: President Mutharika seems to be saying after unveiling a plaque for Mombera University – Pic by Stanley Makuti

“We have Mombela University and we are still discussing with people who are going to support us financially on this university. We have not yet concluded the discussions,” said Gondwe.

“As soon as we do so, we will come to the House for the authorisation to use those funds as well as to inform the House when we are going to start construction during this financial year. This is the information I can provide   as far as Mombela University is concerned,” added Gondwe.

But Rumphi East MP Kamlepo Kalua (People’s Party-PP) asked Gondwe the rationale used in allocating funds to the universities.

Said Kalua: “Can the minister explain why Mombera University has been allocated K200 million whereas Mzuzu University [Mzuni] and the University of Malawi [Unima] are being given K250 million each.”

Gondwe responded: “As far as the Mombela University is concerned, the resources that we have here are those which we, ourselves, are going to use for infrastructure creation there. There is a question of water utilities that we are going to do, as well as electricity, wiring and a number of things of that sort.”

President Peter Mutharika on March 22 unveiled a plaque for the construction of stone for Mombera University in Mzimba District.

The President said the university will be constructed with funding from Malawi Government and not with any external assistance.

Mombera will be the second university after Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) to be constructed in the line of six universities that the former president late Bingu wa Mutharika lined up about four years ago.

The Mombera University in Mzimba is expected to have 10,000 people including staff and students. The university will largely harbor faculties of Animal and Veterinary Science.

Gondwe was also quizzed on the allocations made to some of the county’s public universities.

Lilongwe Msozi-South MP Vitus Dzoole-Mwale (Malawi Congress Party-MCP) also wondered why the vote for the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Luanar) was revised downwards.

“There are several big projects taking place at Luanar such as the new administration block, hostels and classrooms. These projects have stalled due to lack of funds and it is quite saddening to note that the university’s budget has been slashed. Students have been learning in tents for about four years and a good percentage of them do not have accommodation at the campus,” said Dzoole-Mwale.

In his response, Gondwe said: “As regards the reduction of resources at LUANAR this year, well, we are going a little bit slower on projects. It is not only LUANAR but a number of other projects for the reasons that we gave you already, that we will be going slower on this as long as funds are restricted. When is it going to finish? That I cannot tell.”

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Kennedy
Kennedy
8 years ago

Dpp is an empty tin since bingu paston. I wonder there is anything initiated by peter so far, let the dpp lie to us but onething for sure we can suffer forever one day God will rescue us. Those litle gymmies cerebrating our tears will ganish thier teeths. If the lhomwe will rule foreever let them trouble us if not they will be exiled in mocambique mark my word God is not human a being.

medson ndovi
8 years ago

what abt student allowances ?still there or not.?mombera shld be completed within this five yr term

tsetsefly
tsetsefly
8 years ago

DPP which is which? Our own money or donor money in the construction of Mombera? Shameful contradiction.

quincy majawa
8 years ago

Mk200 nazale kapena universi?ty

Patriot
Patriot
8 years ago

Professors are crooks.
That money will vanish just like K577 billion vanished into thin air.

nthawi yafika
nthawi yafika
8 years ago

Atumbuka kaya mukufuna kaya simukufuna, Pitala amanga university uko ku dead north kuti kapena mutukuke ko pang”ono abale. Praise God for Bingu and Peter. University itheka. No quarter system any more. Kuti fedralism ikafika muzathe kuphunzisana ku north komweko.
Shupiti

kkkkkkkkkkkk
kkkkkkkkkkkk
8 years ago

nkhuku zonyokhana zokha zizingapange chithu chanzeru

Thinktank
Thinktank
8 years ago

No politician is helpful. I wished Gondwe was a retired politician this time. Gondwe=Agogo,Bwanawakeyo= Mtchona. Vinthu vingenda yayi.

fredpa
fredpa
8 years ago

come 2019 mukupita kumpumulo wabata ku ndata no way slashing budget for construction of classroom blocks while giving money for construction of banquet halls ku kamuzu palace.Mwakangalika kukonzako ngati mwina mukhalisako kumeneko,tingopemphera cardiac ikupezeni nanuso komweko tipume ngati tinapumila muja.Ngwira was wright to call”useless” or nonsense goverment.What are you planing for? all over the world,countries are investing much in education,while mr puppet wants to invest in banquet halls.Mr man you have failed, be4 things worsen better take yourself out other than to be pushed out.Total madness,idont know why you have advisors.

Kakha Erutu
Kakha Erutu
8 years ago

Alomwe fe tu muzitisamala chifukwa tikangonyanyuka simuzatifuna olo hafu.

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