It has emerged that the Roads Authority (RA) is owing contractors K14 billion accumulated through interests charged on delayed loan payments.

The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament has since advised government, Roads Fund Administration and the Roads Authority to ensure funds are available before embarking on road construction projects.

According to a member of the committee, Ben Phiri, this will not only save government from embarrassments and also help to reduce accumulation of interests.

He said: “As PAC, we have advised the Authority to always write government and where need be, we are willing bring the two or three parties together.”

“Because any delay is bringing a lot of pain to Malawians, it’s an interest, meaning they didn’t go and get the money, it is a money on top of a figure that was agreed.”

Whilst acknowledging challenges, RA Chief Executive Officer Francis Dimu said the debt was accumulated due to long duration of the loan.

K14 billion is a revised figure having paid from K59 billion, and most of it has been accumulated through interests because of delayed payment.