By Mercy Matonga:
Parliament Wednesday passed four bills, including the K88 billion Malawi Health, Emergency Preparedness, Response and Resilience Bill aimed at readying the country for unforeseen catastrophes, including natural disasters and diseases.
The four bills also included additional financing for the Malawi Governance to Enable Service Delivery Project, which is worth $35 million, or about K61 billion; the K160 billion Malawi Fiscal Governance initiative aimed at improving the effectiveness of resource mobilisation, budget execution and transparency of public finances in Malawi; and the K123 million Digital Malawi Acceleration Project under the Inclusive Digitalisation in Eastern and Southern Africa Multi-phase Programmatic Approach Programme to facilitate the inclusive use of the internet and enhance digital skills.
Speaking in the House, Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda said all the financing for the bills would come from the International Development Association (IDA), saying Malawi seeks additional financing for a number of projects that are key to the country’s development.
“These bills are an indication that donor partners are gaining confidence in supporting the country through grants,” Chithyola Banda said.
Among other things, the Health Emergency Preparedness Response and Resilience Project will allow the government to access a grant from IDA to improve the health sector and multi-sectoral preparedness.
It will be implemented for five years.
Chithyola Banda said the bill would help the country prepare for natural disasters and emergency health, which are among the major challenges facing it.
According to the minister, the Financing for Service Delivery initiative would substantially enhance predictable development financing for local authorities in a manner that incentivises sustained improvements in efficiency, equity and accountability of their service delivery responsibilities.
Speaking to journalists after passing the bills, Chithyola Banda said the government would make sure that the sourced funds go towards the intended purpose.
