EU pleased with Malawi financial management progress
The vice-President of Malawi, Khumbo Kachali has said the European Union (EU) is pleased with the progress being made by the government in its effort to manage the challenges brought about by the looting of government resources at Capital Hill in Lilongwe.
Kachali made the remarks Thursday after the bilateral cooperation meeting he had with the European Union Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs on the sidelines of the 22nd Ordinary Session of the African Union in Ethiopia.
The vice-president said it was incumbent upon government, to explain to its Development Partners on the procedures being followed in the financial management systems after the massive looting of government resources.
He said: “I want to inform the nation that EU is very happy with the progress and its our sincere hope that the progress being made will continue. This will help the nation to maintain the confidence our cooperating partners are building again on us.”
Kachali further thanked the EU for the support it is giving to Malawi.
“You will recall that the Minister of Finance, Maxwell Mkwezalamba was in Brussels where the EU unlocked its financial support and resumed their aid to our country. I was expressing gratitude on behalf of the nation for the gesture and confidence that has been built on Malawi,’’ said Kachali.
The European Union Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs said he has appreciated some of the steps and procedures the Malawi government is taking to clean the issue.
Piebalgs said: “I am happy with the issue of calling to responsibility on officers that are in control of the system. On top of that, I appreciate the establishment of credibility of public finance management since this is crucial for our continued support to the government.”
He added that there is need for government to continue with the steps and procedures being followed for the betterment of all Malawians.
The massive looting of public finances which led to the freezing of budgetary support by donors to Malawi took place in September 2013. Government has since embarked on investigations to look into the matter and make sure that all the culprits are brought to book.
