By Suleman Chitera
Lilongwe, Malawi — The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has called on the Minister of Finance to immediately suspend the ongoing Salima-Lilongwe Water Project pending a full investigation into alleged financial mismanagement and labor law violations by the Salima-Lilongwe Water Company and its contractor, Khatho Civils.
CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa said his organization has received credible reports suggesting serious financial irregularities within the state-run company leading the project. He also accused Khatho Civils of failing to comply with Malawi’s labor laws.
“We have discovered that a number of workers at the site are operating without protective clothing, while many foreigners are employed under questionable arrangements,” said Namiwa during a press conference in Lilongwe.
According to CDEDI, such practices undermine workers’ rights and safety and raise red flags about the company’s transparency and accountability. The organization has therefore urged the government to pause the Salima water extraction project until a comprehensive audit and compliance review are carried out.
Namiwa emphasized that the project, which is funded by Malawian taxpayers’ money, must adhere to the highest standards of financial integrity and labor practices.
“Taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent. Any suspicion of irregularities must be treated seriously and investigated without delay,” he said.
Despite the call for investigation, Namiwa acknowledged the significance of the Salima-Lilongwe Water Project, originally initiated under former President Peter Mutharika’s administration, as a major development initiative aimed at addressing water shortages in Lilongwe City and surrounding areas.
He, however, lamented that the project’s implementation has been overshadowed by alleged mismanagement and operational flaws that threaten to derail its potential benefits.
About the Salima-Lilongwe Water Project
The Salima-Lilongwe Water Project aims to draw water from Lake Malawi in Salima District to supply residents of Lilongwe and surrounding communities. The multi-billion-kwacha initiative has faced scrutiny in recent years over procurement transparency, contract management, and environmental compliance.
CDEDI has vowed to continue monitoring the situation and pressuring authorities to uphold accountability and good governance in the execution of public projects.
