Malawi: VP Chilima Commits to Transparency, Accountability On Public Funds – Malawi to Host Poor Countries Summit
Vice President Saulos Chilima has stressed commitment in ensuring transparency and accountability in domestic and external resources for attainment of national development in line with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Chilima made the assertion on Wednesday during a virtual media conferenced hosted by the UN office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States.
Answering a question on government’s commitment for transparency and accountability on development funds from domestic and external partners, Chilima said Malawi will use tight financial management system to ensure there is no mismanagement.
“We are ready to ensure that all resources from domestic and external partners are properly used and accounted for so that whoever provides or contributed such resources feel satisfied with its intended use,” said the Vice-President.
Chilima continued: “Government has system, and we will be putting additional system in place to ensure those who do not use the resources as intended, are dealt with accordingly.”
President Lazarus Chakwera has since tasked Chilima to champion reforms in the public sector and civil service restricting to stop the leaking bucket of funds amid public concerns on the alleged abuse of K6.2 billion Covid-19 response funds in the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) through the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma).
Meanwhile, Malawi as chair of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) , will host the African Regional Review Meeting of the 33 LDCs of Africa and Haiti to be held virtually from 22 to 26 February.
Chilima said the country is prepared for the meeting whose objective is to adopt an outcome document of the 33 LDCs of Africa and Haiti in preparation for the 5th UN Conference on the LDCs scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar from 23 to 27 January , 2022.
The vice-president said the meeting is taking place “at an opportune time” as the country has launched Malawi2063 Vision , a development strategy. Nyasa Times.
