Activists under the Malawi First have called on the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to investigate the awarding and subsequent execution of contracts to Paramount Holding and Dec Construction, for the construction of Inkosi Ya Makhosi M’mbelwa University, formerly Mombera University.
The project has an estimated cost for completing the entire university at K450 billion,
During a tour at the site in January last year, then minister of education (now minister of basic and secondary education) Madalitso Kambauwa Wilima said the university was to open its doors next month with an initial intake of 500 students under the School of Basic Sciences.
Managing Director for Paramount Holdings Limited Prakash Ghedia agreed with the minister on the deadline, with a promise to create employment opportunities to more than 600 people in the district.
However, since then, nothing much has been done apart from clearing and levelling the ground.
Addressing the media at the site, Malawi First’s Bon Kalindo said they are appalled by the utter neglect and abandonment of the University, a project that was touted as a flagship initiative to boost education and economic development in Malawi.
“Despite significant resource allocation, the university has been reduced to a white elephant with no signs of completion or functionality. Against this background, Malawi First would like to demand accountability from the Minister of Finance, Minister of Education, and Minister of Transport and Public Works regarding the mismanagement of this critical project.
“Furthermore, we call upon Paramount Holdings, Delta Construction and the Chinese Company involved in the project to explain why they allegedly abandoned the project site. What went wrong? Who is responsible for this monumental failure?
“In light of these egregious circumstances, Malawi First demands that Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) launches a thorough investigation into this matter. We want to know who is behind this scandal and what happened to the resources allocated for this project. The people of Malawi will not be fooled by empty promises and grandstanding.
“We demand transparency, accountability and action. The University project must be salvaged, and those responsible for its downfall must be held accountable. We therefore call upon the government of Malawi to: Investigate the circumstances surrounding the abandonment of the project Recover any misappropriated funds Ensure the completion of the university and its functionality
“In conclusion, Malawi First will continue to monitor the situation closely and demand justice for the people of Malawi. The University must rise from the ashes, but first, those responsible for its downfall must be held accountable. We won’t rest until justice is served,” he said
In the 2023/2024 National Budget, government allocated K5 billion for the project ollowed by K500 million in the 2024/25 fiscal year and K2 billion in the current 2025/26 budget.
The site was handed over to contractors and preparatory works started on January 2, 2024.
The first phase, estimated to cost K190 billion covers the School of Basic Sciences plus its ancillary structures such as administration block, hostels, staff houses, cafeteria, auditorium, multipurpose hall, sports facilities, clinic, commercial complex and waste management system.
