Minister Mbilizi urges urgent recovery of funds to ensure reliable water supply to Malawian
By Burnett Munthali
The Central Region Water Board (CRWB) has revealed that unpaid water bills totaling K11.9 billion are disrupting the board’s operations and service delivery.
CRWB Director John Makwenda disclosed the figures during a visit by the Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development, Roza Mbilizi, to the water utility on Wednesday.
According to Makwenda, approximately K9.2 billion of the arrears comes from government departments, while the remaining K2.6 billion is owed by other customers.
The outstanding payments, he explained, are significantly affecting the board’s ability to maintain and expand water infrastructure, and threaten consistent service delivery to residents in the Central Region.
Minister Mbilizi emphasized the importance of immediate action, stating that her ministry would intervene to recover the unpaid funds through engagement with relevant stakeholders and authorities.
She warned that if the situation persists, CRWB may be unable to provide reliable and uninterrupted water services to its customers, which could have widespread implications for communities and businesses.
The Minister called for collaboration between government departments, private customers, and the water board to ensure timely payment of bills and strengthen accountability in the management of public utilities.
Officials at CRWB expressed optimism that with the Ministry’s support, mechanisms could be established to recover outstanding debts and safeguard the board’s operational capacity.
Mbilizi’s visit also underscored the government’s commitment to enhancing water service delivery while addressing systemic challenges that impede the performance of state-owned enterprises.
The board and ministry agreed to work together on solutions, including improved billing systems, customer engagement, and enforcement of payment regulations, to prevent further accumulation of arrears.
Unpaid bills at utilities like CRWB highlight broader concerns about financial discipline, resource management, and service sustainability in Malawi’s public sector.
By addressing these challenges, the Ministry aims to ensure that Malawians have access to safe, affordable, and reliable water, which remains critical for public health, agriculture, and overall economic development in the Central Region.
