AfDB mum on Mutharika plea for budget support: Crew leaves Malawi

A nine member high powered delegation from African Development Bank (AfDB) on Friday left Malawi without assuring President Peter Mutharika of resumption of direct budget support following his request earlier in the week.

The AfDB crew which visited Malawi
The AfDB crew which visited Malawi
Mutharika with AfDB delegation
Mutharika with AfDB delegation

The bank however says in a statement the government needs to continue with reforms in fiscal policy and public financial management to recovery the ailing economy.

The bank says it is greatly concerned with the severe food shortages and poor economy which have triggered high inflation, depreciated currency and high interest rates among others.

The AfDB says it will continue assisting Malawi in transport, energy, agriculture and policy advice among other critical areas.

Apart from meeting Mutharika the bank executive directors also met civil society leaders.

Coincidentally, a team of IMF experts is in the country to assess whether Malawi has met conditions for the resumption of the bank’s extended credit facility that would give donor confidence for the restart of budgetary support.

The budgetary support was withdrawn in 2013 following the plunder of K30 billion at Capital Hill in what is now infamously known as cashgate.

The AfDB delegation also visited Chisoka Health Clinic in Thyolo to assess the progress of the work they invested in.

Chisoka Health clinic was opened in 2010 and is one of the 33 projects across the country funded by AfDB.

The bank’s board member and head of delegation, Sam Zaghloul, said they were impressed that the investment they had made has gone a long way in helping the ordinary Malawians.

He said human social development is high on the priorities of the banks agenda.

Zaghloul added that AfDB plans to roll out more projects in other parts of the country sometime this year. He did not however, give specific timeline.

“The reason we came through is to really understand certain things about how the hospital is being run: like we have found out that the sustainability of the hospital is on track and we should commend the management for their work.

“We are happy that the investment is helping ordinary people in the remote areas. As a bank, human development is high on the priorities of our agenda.

“AfDB will roll out more projects in various parts of the country sometime in the year, which are in the pipeline,” he explained.

Thyolo District Health Officer, Michael Murowa said the clinic is very essential because it serves a catchment area of 18 villages, which translates to serving about 250 clients per day and about 6,000 of them per month.

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Economic Strategist
Economic Strategist
8 years ago

They should just continue supporting projects directly such as the BT-Zomba Road, Liwonde-Mangochi, Mzuzu-Nkhata Bay which are ongoing. Identify contractors and pay them directly without channeling any money through the corrupt government system. But I have a question for these donors who preach about inclusive growth. Why don’t you fund road projects in areas such as Wenya-Nthalire valleys and Neno? These areas have huge potential to unlock agricultural production and feed the starving Malawians! etc. Why don’t you fund the modernisation of jetties on Lake Malawi so that people can be able to visit and develop tourism on Likoma islands?… Read more »

Chikakwiya
Chikakwiya
8 years ago

I SUPPORT THE IDEA OF NOT SUPPORTING THIS GOVERNMENT. BELIEVE ME IT WILL BE BUSINESS AS USUAL ONCE THEY GET THE BUDGETARY SUPPORT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS GOVT STRATEGIZING ON ITS OWN ON HOW TO TAKE THIS COUNTRY MOVE FORWARD. DO MORE ON IRRIGATION, CORRUPTION AND REDUCE EXPENDITURE IN THE PRESIDENCY AS WELL AS REDUCE NUMBER OF CAMPAIGN MEETINGS MASCARADING AS DEVELOPMENTAL RALLIES.

MATAKO
MATAKO
8 years ago

mBABVA ZIMENEZI. IT IS MY HOPE THAT ALL FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS WILL NOT PROMOTE CORRUPTION BY GIVING ANY FORM OF FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO THIS CORRUPT GOVERNMENT. UNLESS MUTHALIKA OWNS UP TO HIS INCOMPETENCY AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE AILING ECONOMY NO BODY SHOULD COME FORWARD TO ASSIST THIS COUNTRY. GIVING MONEY TO THESE CORRUPT CLUELESS PEOPLE IS JUST AWAY OF PROPING UO THEIR FOREIGN BANK ACCOUNTS.

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