Community Demands Probe Into CDF Toilet Expenditure

The communities around Lupaso Under-Five Clinic in the City if Mzuzu are demanding for a proper audit and the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s investigation into the construction of a mini toilet facility which is reported to have consumed K20 million.

A newly constructed small toilet at Lupaso under-five clinic is constructed using Constituency Development (CDF) as established by the local media outlet, Times 360 Malawi reporting that a Bill of Quantity (BOQ) shows that the structure was constructed using an amount in excess of K20 million.

The toilet which is almost complete has only two rooms, one for males the other for females, but has no windows.

“On the BOQ, the toilet is labelled VIP and was allocated 226 bags of cement, 11 steel door frames, 35 corrugated iron sheets (18 ft) among others,” Times reported.

However, the constructed toilet has five iron sheets supported by seven planks.

Secretary for Lupaso Ward Development Committee Newton Chione is quoted saying that their total budget was estimated at around K2.4 million adding that they never got any chance to access the plan for the toilet throughout the construction period.

Commenting on the issue, Mzuzu City Council spokesperson McDonald Gondwe admitted that the BOQ is unrealistic but blamed the communities saying they are responsible because CDF gives them powers to get quotations of goods and services.

It yet to be seen as to whether the audit stating expenditures will be conducted and how soon the ACB will act on the matter.