The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament (PAC) has questioned the use of about US$13.9 million from the Blantyre Water Board (BWB) to help finance Malawi’s US$45 million maize procurement from Zambia.
The maize purchase was part of a government arrangement to secure maize supplies from Zambia amid the need to strengthen the country’s food stocks.
PAC Chairperson Steve Malondera said the money could instead have been invested in improving water supply in Blantyre, where residents continue to face inadequate services.
Malondera spoke after the committee engaged the National Local Government Finance Committee, which financed the maize procurement.
He said using BWB funds to buy maize addresses an immediate need, while investing in water infrastructure could deliver longer-term benefits, including improved access to clean and potable water.
Malondera also questioned the need for Malawi to use scarce foreign exchange to import maize, saying institutions such as the Greenbelt Authority could expand irrigation farming and boost local production.
He urged authorities to prioritise public spending and ensure funds are used appropriately.
