Nkhata Bay council applies for advance funding

Nkhata Bay District Council has asked Treasury for advance funding to clear debts the council owes suppliers.

Meanwhile, the council has been dragged to court for failing to pay some of the debts.

In addition, the council’s vehicles and other equipment have been seized over debts. The development has resulted in operations being paralysed at the council.

Speaking in an interview yesterday, Nkhata Bay district commissioner Alex Mdooko confirmed that the council had asked for advance funding to settle debts.

However, he could not be drawn to disclose the total amount of the debts, saying he was attending a meeting in Lilongwe and could not recall the figures.

“We asked for advance funding through the mother ministry. We are yet to get feedback, but I will follow up the matter since I am already in Lilongwe,” said Mdooko.

Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development spokesperson Muhlabase Mughogho said such matters are handled by the Local Government Finance Committee, hence she  could not comment.

Treasury spokesperson Nations Msowoya said the ministries were duly given funding for July and he is yet to appreciate why the funding was not enough.

He said he needed time to check how much advance funding the council has applied for. n