One of the challenges affecting the Malawi water sector at the moment is the sustainability of investment in water infrastructure in rural communities, with non-functionality rates hitting levels of 41%. Many challenges affect the functionality of water points such as poor construction quality, inadequate supervision and limited accountability, but the involvement of politicians in accessing the water fund also leaves a lot to be desired. Not only are water infrastructure investment decisions influenced by political interests but, actors responsible for ensuring the sustainability of water services, have little influence on decision-making and lack the resources to carry out minor repairs and preventative maintenance of the hand pumps.
Our Team Leader, Muthi Nhlema was interviewed in the Nation Newspaper as one of the leading experts in rural water supply in Malawi. An excerpt from the paper was written by Ntchindi Meki and dated 16th March 2024.
His comments focused on the need for politicians to foster coordination with other actors in the sector in the management and allocation of water resources and take up data-driven decision-making which would improve the targeting of investments and resource allocations for more sustainable and equitable access to safe drinking water for all.
Click on the link below to access the article on the Nation Newspapers website. Raw deal for rural masses | The Nation Online (mwnation.com)