Malawi failing to recruit Mzuzu airport feasibility study consultant

Donors are furious with the Malawi government over delays to kick start constructing of Mzuzu airport despite feasibility study funds being made available.

Officials from OPEC fund for international Development (OFID) are accusing the government of failing to utilize a K350 million (US$350,000) grant for Mzuzu airport feasibility.

Ofld assistant director general for public sector operations, Faad Albassam has fund told the new minister of Finance Simplex Chithyola Banda that fund officials are not amused with the government failure to hire a consultant for the technical and economic feasibility study for the new Mzuzu Airport.

Speaking when he met the new Malawi Minister of Finance on the sidelines of the year’s World Bank Group/ International Monetary Fund (IMF) meetings in Marrakech, Morocco on Friday, Albassam said government is failing to recruit a consulting for the project 2 years after signing the program grant.

“The project preparation grant is intended to finance the preparation of the feasibility study for the construction of a new airport for Mzuzu city.

“The overall cost of the feasibility study is US$800,000 with ofld and Arab bank for economic development (BADEA) each contributing US$350,000 towards the study and the Government of Malawi contributing US$100,000.

“It was expected to result in a potential US$200 million (based on preliminary estimates) investment that BADEA and ofld could subsequently finance with the Government and other partners but two years down the line there has been no movement”, he said.

The minister then committed to take the matter seriously and provide necessary policy direction to ensure that the process starts as soon as possible to make sure Malawi gets and utilize resources prudently.
Source; All africanews