MALAWI: Minister Phiri Calls for Quality and Professionalism in Public Projects

By Smile Hamilton Malawi

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Ben Phiri, has called on contractors across the Eastern Region to uphold quality and professionalism when executing government-funded projects, warning that poor workmanship undermines national development efforts.

Phiri made the remarks during a town hall meeting with contractors held in the region, which attracted participants from various sectors involved in public infrastructure development. The meeting was aimed at strengthening accountability and improving standards in project implementation.

“We want contractors who value quality and professionalism. Government resources must translate into durable and meaningful infrastructure for our people,” said Phiri.

He cautioned that contractors who fail to meet agreed specifications and timelines risk being barred from future government contracts. “There will be no tolerance for shoddy work. Accountability is key if we are to develop our cities and districts,” he added.

The Minister noted that government spends huge sums of public money on development projects and expects value for money through high-quality outcomes that benefit communities for generations.

The town hall meeting was also attended by the city mayor, who emphasized the importance of collaboration between local authorities and contractors to ensure projects meet community needs and regulatory standards.

Phiri said the engagement forms part of ongoing government efforts to promote transparency, curb corruption, and enhance service delivery in public projects. He added that similar meetings will be held in other regions.

The Minister is also expected to meet city residents in a separate engagement, which will provide an open forum for the public to contribute ideas on development priorities. “Development works best when citizens are involved and their voices are

heard,” he said.