Malawi Defence Force owes CRWB K3.4 billion in water bills

Central Region Water Board officials yesterday told the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament that the Malawi Defence Force owes the institution K3.4 billion in outstanding water bills. Speaking when board officials appeared before committee members in Lilongwe, CRWB Chief Executive Officer John Makwenda said the water bills have accumulated since…

By Wezzie Gausi:

Central Region Water Board (CRWB) officials yesterday told the Public Accounts Committee (Pac) of Parliament that the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) owes the institution K3.4 billion in outstanding water bills.

But in an interview Monday, MDF spokesperson Emmanuel Mlelemba said the issue of outstanding water bills is being handled.

CRWB officials told committee members Monday that public institutions are owing the board a total of K4 billion, with MDF topping the list.

Speaking when board officials appeared before committee members in Lilongwe, CRWB Chief Executive Officer John Makwenda said the water bills have accumulated since 2020.

He said the institution has been engaging MDF to map the way forward.

“The issue has already been reported to the Treasury and we are now liaising with MDF to have prepaid meters installed so as to help them square the bill.

“The accumulation of these bills affects how the institution is running its day-to-day business. We need money for us to be providing quality services,”Makwenda said.

Pac Chairperson for the day Nicholas Dausi said there is a need to liaise with government officials on how best to help public institutions.

“We believe that the problem can be rectified. We, as a committee, will be engaging with relevant authorities to map the way forward,” Dausi said.