Veep commits to transparency, accountability on public funds
Vice-President Saulos Chilima has committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in domestic and external resources for attainment of national development in line with the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He was speaking yesterday during a virtual media conference hosted by the UN office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (UN-OHRLLS).
The conference was aimed at providing an update on Malawi’s preparedness for the African Regional Review Meeting (ARRM) of the 33 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) of Africa and Haiti to be held virtually from 22 to 26 February.
Malawi, as the chair of the LDCs, has been working closely with the UN-OHRLLS in preparing for the ARRM.
Chilima said development in LDCs is undermined by, among others, the Covid-19 pandemic which also poses a threat to the attainment of SDGs.
Answering a question on government’s commitment for transparency and accountability on development funds from both domestic and external partners, the Vice-President said government will use tight financial management systems to ensure no tambala is lost.
He said: “We are ready to ensure that all resources from domestic and external partners are properly used and accounted for so that whoever provides or contributes such resources feel satisfied with its intended use.
“Government has systems and we will be putting additional systems in place to ensure those who do not use the resources as intended, are dealt with accordingly.”
Chilima’s sentiments come amid public concerns on the alleged abuse of the K6.2 billion Covid-19 response funds which has seen senior government officials suspended pending a forensic audit.
President Lazarus Chakwera has also tasked Chilima to champion reforms in the public sector aimed at, among others, sealing leakages in the public resource management systems.
On the upcoming meeting, Chilima said its objective is to adopt an outcome document of the 33 LDCs of Africa and Haiti in preparation for the 5th UN Conference on the LDCs (LDC5) scheduled to take place in Doha, Qatar, from 23 to 27 January, 2022.
He said government is taking the meeting seriously as it will offer an opportunity for LDCs of Africa and Haiti to review the implementation of the Istanbul Programme of Action for the period 2011-2020 and strategise on which areas to prioritise in the programme to be adopted in Doha.
Said Chilima: “This meeting is taking place at an opportune time because we launched the Malawi 2063 Vision in January, 2021. It is expected that our aspirations in the new vision will be aligned to the new programme of the LDCs.”
On her part, UN-OHRLLS representative Fekitamoeloa ‘Utoikamanu said equally important in next week’s discussions will be how the international community will support development in the LDCs over the next decade.
She said: “What matters is that it is that critical moment for Africa’s LDCs and Haiti to collectively agree on what needs to be done for the future.”
While positive trends have been achieved on tackling poverty, health, as well as gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, ‘Utoikamanu noted that progress has been stagnant on critical areas such as hunger, education, research and development and the environment.
She urged LDCs and the international community to pull resources together to ensure continued progress in the attainment of the goals.
