Ministry of Youth and Sports says resumption of works at Griffin Saenda Sports Complex in Lilongwe have stalled due to a debt owed to the contractor, China Railway 20 Bureau Group Corporation.
In an interview yesterday, the ministry’s spokesperson Macmillan Mwale said funds allocated for the project are going towards settling the arrears.
He said: “You may recall that the initial cost of the project was K7.8 billion, but due to changes in scope of work and inflation, it escalated to K15.7 billion and the funding for the project is being channeled towards settling the arrears.
Saenda Sports Complex. I Nation
“There have also been other challenges such as shortage of forex.”
In the 2025/26 National Budget, the project was allocated K2.6 billion.
“We already got K1 billion from the allocation, which went towards settling the arrears and that is why the works have not yet resumed,” said Mwale.
However, he could not provide the actual amount owed to the contractor, saying he needed more time.
But our source confided that it is over K2 billion.
On whether the project will be completed within the year, Mwale said: “We cannot guarantee that, but we are optimistic.”
He said among others, the remaining works include permanent water and electricity connections, glazing and ventilation facilities.
“Some of the materials cannot be sourced locally, so we agreed with the contractor to cast the net wider,” Mwale said in an earlier interview
The facility is expected to host the 2025 Africa Netball Championshiip in December and Netball Association of Malawi general secretary Yamikani Kauma said they are crossing their fingers that it will be completed in time.
Netball Association of Malawi general secretary Yamikani Kauma in an interview yesterday said they are hopeful that works will be completed by the time the tournament throws-off.
She said: “Considering that time is running out, we recently had a meeting where we agreed to inspect the court to appreciate its current state.
“At that particular time, we will also engage the ministry for an update and direction.”
The facility, which hosted some games during the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Games in December 2022, was initially earmarked to be completed by June 2023.
