The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has given the presidential taskforce on Covid-19, 45 days to calculate all the allowances Leader of Opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa pocketed before writing him to refund the money.

The Chairperson for the Committee, Shadreck Namalomba has told YFM in an interview after the expiry of the initial ultimatum Nankhumwa was given to refund the money.

According to Namalomba, they received a letter from the taskforce requesting for more time to account for all the allowances saying they were withdrawn from a long time ago, hence the decision.

“The initial 7- days ultimatum was expiring Friday,  May 7, 2021, but later in the day we got communication from the taskforce that they need for time to account for all the funds that are to be recovered, so we have granted them their request,” said Namalomba.

He added that; “It is not about when the money will be recovered but how much should be recovered. This is taxpayers’ money and it should be wisely used, all what matters is that all the money must be recovered at the ends of the day.”

The Chairperson said he is optimistic that within the 45 days all the money will be accounted for and recovered and has Malawians to be patient on the matter.

PAC ordered the taskforce to recover accommodation and fuel allowances Nankhumwa was pocketing after it learnt that he is residing within Lilongwe, hence it was not justifiable for him to get the allowances.