BLANTYRE--Malawi’s donor, Ireland is demanding audited accounts on all transport costs Malawi government incurred during last year’s Farm Inputs Subsidy Programme (Fisp). This is a pre-condition for continued funding, according to a statement issued by the Irish government.

 
The donor has also requested Malawi to see to it that new director for the Anti-corruption Bureau (ACB) is appointed. Incumbent Director Alexious Nampota has not been reporting for work since April this year after president Joyce Banda asked to resign but he refused to do so.

 “To release Ireland’s funding for the Fisp this year, we need the conclusion of audits on the transport costs from last year and the reconciliation of the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) accounts so that balances may be released in conjunction with the signing of MoU agreements for this year’s Fisp support from Ireland,” reads the statement in part. The Irish government says they need to see how the money they cough through their taxes is used in Malawi.

 Ireland has pledged 250 000 euro (about K100 million) towards Fisp this year to chiefly review procurement systems, monitor the process of redeeming inputs at the markets and agro dealers and the identification of cases of corruption. But If Malawi fails to produce the audited reports; the money will not be released.

 
But Finance Minister Ken Lipenga has told the Nation that the Malawi government will address the concerns raised by Ireland. On ACB, the minister said there is progress as names were already nominated and they await parliament approval.   

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