By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, February 20, Mana: Chief Corruption Prevention Officer for the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), Susan Mtuwa Phiri has urged core officers in the implementation of Social Support for Resilient Livelihoods Project (SSRLP) to avoid corruption.

Mtuwa was speaking in Nkhata Bay on Wednesday at the end of a corruption risk assessment training for Nkhata Bay District Council officials. 

She said the training was necessary because councils receive significant funding for SSRLP implementation hence it is crucial that they prevent corruption.

 "The training aimed to equip targeted officers with skills to identify, assess, and mitigate corruption risks to ensure that funds allocated to the Social Cash Transfer Programme (SCTP) and Climate Smart Enhanced Public Works Programme (CS-EPWP) are used for intended purposes.

"Together with the council, we have identified the weak areas in the programs’ implementation and developed measures to seal the loopholes so that corruption is prevented," Mtuwa said.

Phiri expressed optimism that the exercise, currently being piloted in three districts, namely Nkhata Bay, Ntcheu, and Mulanje, will yield positive results when rolled out to all councils.

She also urged the council to take the training recommendations seriously, bearing in mind that collective efforts are necessary to combat corruption.

"We encourage every Malawian to participate in the fight against corruption by resisting and reporting it," she added.

Commenting on the matter, Integrity Institutional Committee Chairperson, Raphael Mkisi commended National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC) for supporting the training, saying it was an eye opener.  

"This capacity building is a plus to us and the knowledge and skills gained will be used in all other projects at the council to leave no room for any corrupt practices,” he said.

CS-EPWP and SCTP are components of SSRLP being implemented by the Malawi Government across the country through the National Local Government Finance Committee with support from the World Bank and Multi Donor Trust Fund.