Local Contractors, over 50 in total, working under Roads Authority have said that they will go ahead with a planned vigil set for Tuesday, June 4, 2024 at Roads Funds Administration (RFA) offices despite an assurance from government that the contractors will start receiving their payments by Monday next week.
This has been confirmed in a letter dated May 30, 2024 addressed to District Commissioner for Lilongwe Lawford Palani, notifying him of the impending vigil as required by law.
The planned vigil follows the expiry of the 7day-ultimutum given to the RFA on May 21, 2024 where the local contractors were demanding payment of their money amounting to MK14 billion.
In the petition, the local contractors said that despite contractual agreements stipulating that the RFA should pay contractors within 45 days after the certification of measured works by the project manager, payments have been significantly delayed.
The contractors said the delayed payments have led to severe cash flow problems that are making it difficult for them to pay their workers.
They added that banks and loan sharks were pressuring them to repay their loans, worsening their financial stress.
“Since January 2024, 155 days have elapsed without any pay to us the contractors, which is very unfortunate, especially in view of the current inflation and loss of value of the Malawi kwacha,
“You should be reminded that this is our livelihood and we are failing to support ourselves and our families,” reads in part the petition.
But information has it that RFA will start paying the contractors by Monday next week as confirmed by RFA Public Relations Officer Masauko Ngwaluko in a whatsApp message seen by this publication.
“I can confirm that we [RFA] will start paying contractors by Monday 3rd June 2024. You may wish to inform your members,” said Ngwaluko in a whatsApp message sent to one of the representatives of the local contractors in the country.
However, the local contractors have described Ngwaluko’s statement as a strategy by RFA to foil the planned vigil set for next week.
The contractors say they will only call off the vigil after everyone receives his/her payment in full.
Faceofmalawi will keep you updated on the matter.
