United Nations has warned Malawi against taking shortcuts as far as the Salima-Lilongwe Water Supply project is concerned. UNDP representative Mia Seppo said this is to avoid any setbacks.
The project seeks to pump water from Lake Malawi to the capital city. However, there has been concerns of lack of an environmental impact assessment (EIA).
Also read: Four bidders shortlisted for Malawi water project
President Peter Mutharika urged the civil society and development partners not to destroy the project. He further assured the people that the project will continue. The project that will be completed in 2022 will hlep solve water problems in the country.
Uncertainty
On the other hand, the Centre for the Development of People (Cedep) and Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) said the development partners were only asking for honesty in the dealings.
In April this year, Malawi Law Society (MLS) got a court document. According to the document, the Department of Environmental Affairs should produce details of the contract on the water project. This would also be including an EIA report.
This forced Lilongwe Water Board to advertise for a firm to carry out a workable study which is ready. The document also orders the Department of Environmental Affairs to appoint the law society with details of the contract between government and Khato Civils.
According to court documents MLS questions the right of some decisions made by authorities concerned with the achievement of the project. MLS feels the authorities decision to move forward with in the absence of an environmental impact assessment is wrong.
