BWB set to receive K150 bn grant
Malawi Government is set to get a $145 million (about K150 billion) World Bank grant to improve water and sanitation in Blantyre City under the Blantyre Water and Sanitation Project (BWSP).
If granted, the funding, through the International Development Association (IDA), is expected to improve access to safely managed water supply and sanitation services in Blantyre, the Blantyre Metropolitan Area and to enhance operational and financial efficiency at Blantyre Water Board (BWB).
Minutes of the grant dated February 15 after Malawi Government representatives met IDA officials in Lilongwe as confirmed by BWB chief executive officer Robert Hanjahanja show that the project is expected to be presented to the World Bank board for approval on March 29 2023.
The minutes read in part: “The IDA delegation informed the recipient delegation that the project is expected to be presented to the board for approval on March 29 2023.
“The recipient delegation chose May 15 and November 15 each year as the payment dates for the commitment charges.”
The minutes further show that the IDA delegation confirmed that the financing would be disbursed at 100 percent of eligible expenditures, inclusive of taxes.
“The recipient delegation confirmed that project audits will be carried out on an annual basis or such other period as may be agreed to by the Association under terms of reference agreed to by IDA.
“The audited statements will be provided to IDA no later than six months after each financial year,” read the minutes.
Prior to signing the legal documents, Malawi Government will need Parliament approval which is expected to take place during the current budget sitting of Parliament.
The Malawi delegation was led by Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs acting director of Debt and Aid Management Division Nations Msowoya and Hanjahanja while the IDA team was led by Odete Muximpua, the task team leader.
In an interview yesterday, Hanjahanja said once granted, the project, to be implemented jointly with Blantyre City Council, will help improve the water situation but also sanitation for the people of Blantyre.
“We are negotiating with the World Bank and we are in the final stages of those negotiations. However, the project will improve water and sanitation services in Blantyre significantly. It’s a major project, it will change a lot of things in Blantyre City,” he said.
Natural Resources Committee of Parliament chairperson Welani Chilenga said his committee will support financing of projects such as the Blantyre Water and Sanitation Project aimed at improving provision of water services in the country.
However, he urged water boards to work towards securing more projects that will help any people in the country have access to clean and portable water.
“We need serious water infrastructure in many parts of the country and government should consider putting that in place because many if our people are suffering,” said Chilenga.
The Blantyre Water and Sanitation Project interventions are expected to contribute to improved access to water and sanitation for the residents of the city and surrounding areas and improve the city’s health outcomes and quality of life.
It is expected to directly benefit over 500 000 residents in the Blantyre metropolitan area with improved water and sanitation services as a result of rehabilitation and upgrade of the water and sewerage infrastructure and solid waste management upgrades.
