The Natural Resources Committee of Parliament has expressed worry over a slow pace at which the Salima-Lilongwe Water Project is moving.

The development follows a meeting which the Committee summoned officials from Lilongwe Water Board (LWB), Khato Civils, Ministries of Finance and Natural Resources.

Speaking virtually from South Africa, Khato Civils Chief Executive Officer Mongezi Mnyani has faulted Ministry of Finance of playing delaying tactics towards commencement of the K227 billion project.

According Committee`s Chairperson Welani Chilenga, it is worrisome to note that the progress of the project is being delayed by inefficiency on part of Malawi Government.

“As a Committee we are very concerned because last when we met LWB, Ministry of Finance and the Water Department together with Khato Civils, we were assured that the project was going to take place as soon as possible,” wondered Chilenga.

Mnyani told the Committee that Khato Civils submitted the designs on August 16 this year but LWB is yet to respond and nothing has happened ever since.

Lilongwe Water Board Chairman George Kajanga attributed the delay in commencement of the project to intake designs that Khato Civils should submit to the Board.

“As a board and technical advisory team they would want to review what Khato Civils has given us a change in the pipe, they would want to review and look critically at what has happened to the intake.

“So as we talking now we are still waiting for such information from Khato Civil Engineering,” said Kajanga.

Khato Civils has since threatened a payment of $71 million (about K53 billion) if government of Malawi dares to terminate the project.