Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Times News
Published on 2024-03-11 06:44:14
Sanjika Palace, a public institution, is reported to owe the Blantyre Water Board (BWB) a staggering K1.2 billion in water bill arrears, according to a letter signed by BWB Chief Executive Director Robert Hanjahanja and addressed to the Treasury Department. The bill amounting to K1,230,544,520 was reported as of January 30, 2024. BWB is requesting certification of the arrears in order to facilitate the process of payment.
The letter from BWB highlights the need for Treasury to seek the services of the Auditor General (AG) to conduct an audit and certify the palace’s water arrears. This request comes after the AG’s office advised BWB to approach the Treasury Cashier, who would then engage the AG for certification. The Chairperson for the Natural Resources and Climate Change Committee of Parliament, Werani Chilenga, acknowledged the issue and expressed concerns about underfunding of public institutions by Treasury, which leads to unpaid water bills.
Chilenga emphasized the importance of addressing the funding issues with Treasury to ensure that public institutions can settle their bills and install prepaid meters to avoid future arrears. The Secretary to the Treasury, Betchani Tchereni, declined to comment on the matter being discussed in the media, stating that discussions about funding should be conducted privately in their offices.
State Residences spokesperson, Anthony Kasunda, revealed that they have a confidential payment plan with BWB to address the outstanding arrears. The issue of public institutions owing water boards significant amounts in arrears is not limited to Sanjika Palace, as other institutions are also reported to owe billions of Kwacha to water boards across the country.
The Central Region Water Board informed the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament that public institutions owe at least K4 billion in water bills, with the Malawi Defence Force being the top debtor. The accumulated arrears from public institutions are said to be impacting the operations of water boards, underscoring the need for prompt payment and responsible financial management.
In conclusion, the issue of public institutions owing substantial amounts in water bill arrears is a significant concern that requires urgent attention from both the institutions themselves and the government. Collaborative efforts between Treasury, water boards, and public institutions are essential to address the funding challenges and ensure the sustainability of water supply services in Malawi.
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