Malawi government risks spending illegally
Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) have warned that government will be guilty of spending illegally if it continues processing civil servants’ June salaries beyond yesterday without the approval of Parliament.
The warning comes hot on the heels of reports that civil servants’ salaries will be delayed as a result of Ministry of Finance’s bid to improve the Integrated Financial Management System (Ifmis) and following relevant end-of-financial-year processes.
The matter was first brought forward in the august House yesterday by Rumphi East MP Kamlepo Kalua who charged that it was irregular for government to fail to pay civil servants their June salaries before the expiry of the 2014/15 financial year.
Kalua – who has been particularly touching on government’s raw nerves in the current Parliament meeting – wondered whether Treasury has exhausted its coffers without finally fulfilling the ultimate obligation of the fiscal plan that expired yesterday.
“It is very disturbing that up to date, civil servants are not paid their salaries. That is very irregular… You can have so many degrees, but if you don’t have morals, you are like a trained dog,” charged Kalua without elaborating.
When we caught up with him outside the chambers, the lawmaker maintained that according to the Public Finance Management Act, any government expenditure that will be made from today will be deemed illegal.
“So we are saying what is happening? What is it that the government is doing? What is it that as a country we can do so that our people out there can appreciate our services as leaders of this country?” Kalua complained.
Dedza East MP Juliana Lunguzi echoed Kalua’s concern, adding that due to delays in disbursing funds to different departments, some crucial services have been halted.
“We need an assurance from the Minister of Finance on how things will be worked out,” said Lunguzi.
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