Lilongwe, May 29, Mana: World Bank Senior Public Sector Specialist and Task Team Leader for Governance to Enable Service Delivery (GESD) projects, Eva Melis, has expressed satisfaction with how councils are implementing GESD 1.0 projects.
Melis was speaking on Friday in Lilongwe during the 2026 Annual Decentralization Forum.
She said it was encouraging that councils had managed to implement over 700 projects under the programme, with 90 percent of them already completed.
“It is pleasing and encouraging to note that councils have successfully implemented more than 700 projects and that 90 percent of them have been completed,” said Melis.
She added that the achievement demonstrates the commitment of local authorities towards improving service delivery and infrastructure development in communities.
Melis further pledged the World Bank’s continued financial support as Malawi prepares to roll out the GESD 2.0 projects.
Speaking earlier, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Malunga Phiri commended all councils for their dedication and commitment towards the successful implementation of GESD 1.0 projects.
“This success is not only for the councils, but for the country at large. And I am optimistic that with this strong foundation, even the K5 billion Constituency Development Fund (CDF) will be used for their intended purpose,” said Phiri.
The minister, however, warned that government would not tolerate laziness and substandard projects in the country.
He urged councils and stakeholders to maintain high standards of accountability, transparency and quality in the implementation of development projects.
Executive Director for the National Local Government Finance Committee (NLGFC), Kondwani Santhe, said the institution would continue providing guidance to local authorities to ensure smooth implementation of projects across the country.
GESD projects are being implemented in the country with financial support from the World Bank.
By Andrew Mkonda
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