BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The self-acclaimed and political activists Edward Kambanje and Oliver Nakoma with the banners Concerned Citizens of Malawi (CCM)-People Power Movement (PPM) in their ignorant press statement issued on Sunday, February 16, 2025 wrongly accusing the former Secretary to the Treasury (ST) Dr Mafuta Mwale of paying for some uncompleted projects.
In January this year, President Lazarus Chakwera appointed Dr Mwale as Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Governor replacing Wilson Banda.
The accusations comes barely two days after President Lazarus Chakwera presented State of Nation Address (SONA) which included unfinished projects in some district councils across the country.
Without senses, Kambanje and Nakoma are accusing the former ST Mwale wrongly.
The duo do not understand that fully how government projects are paid.
The ST would not have paid for any project without a certificate of completion.
Kambanje and Nakoma narrative is wrong aiming at attack Dr Mwale personally without any basis.
How funding systems in government works
According to government operations expert has clarified that according to rules and procedures, a ST doesn’t pay for projects as his or her job is to consolidate budgets from all ministries and implement the budget through funding of the different activities being implemented by the ministries.
“When it comes to project implementation, controlling officers or PSs request for funding through presentation of works completion certificates, which are usually signed by officials from Buildings Department of Ministry of Transport and Public Works and project consultants, certifying that work has been done and has been duly verified.
“All contractors are aware that once certificates are presented, funding, according to budget is released and then the PS does the payment to the contractor,” he explains on condition anonymity.
He added, “ST and Budget Director can never fund in the absence of the verified and signed certificate of completion of works.
“I would be surprised if anyone can bring evidence of funding from Treasury without the said certificate and indeed any contractor whose project received funding without a certificate of completion of works”.
He explains further, “As much as ST doesn’t do physical verification of completion of works, he or she relies on controlling officers who are implimenters of projects and officials from Buildings Department to sign off any work for payment.
“These are offices who are responsible for verifying actual wotks progress before approaching Treasury for funding. They are responsible for verifying actual works done”.
He concluded, “Treasury trusts that the controlling officers have followed all due processes before approaching Treasury for funding”.
With this explanation, Kambanje and Nakoma allegations on Dr Mwale are baseless.
Allow newly appointed RBM Governor to concentrate on lowering down inflation, settling monetary policy while stabling local currency Kwacha from further depreciation.