The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development says it has engaged key stakeholders in the construction industry and local councils to ensure they are fully prepared to utilise the K5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF) once it rolls out in April next year.

Minister of Local Government Ben Phiri made the remarks in Mzuzu after touring the construction of the city’s civic offices and meeting contractors in the construction sector.

Phiri said the ministry is also working closely with the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) to develop mechanisms that will expedite payments to contractors without breaching procurement laws.

“We have engaged the PPDA, and our teams are developing procurement guidelines tailored to the CDF to ensure speedy implementation without compromising the law,” Phiri said.

Meanwhile, one of the contractors, Grant Mzumara, who is Project Director at Mjats, urged design experts to guide councils on the recommended material mixes required for high-quality infrastructure.

“I think it is important for designers to advise councils on the correct mixes they are supposed to use. That will make a significant difference,” Mzumara said.

He added that many construction blocks used in Malawi are substandard because they contain too much sand and too little quarry material.

By Thandie Chinthambi, Mzuzu