Abstract

After the introduction of FPE in 1993/94 academic year, the UDF government started building schools in different parts of Malawi. Private contractors were hired. Some contractors did not build anything at the site; others did not complete their projects while others used low quality materials that resulted in substandard structures. The contractors got full payments since Ministry of Education officials certified the works as having been completed. This made government lose MK 187 million because it paid for work that was not done or done unsatisfactorily. This study conducted in three villages in rural Lilongwe where a contractor left uncompleted or poorly constructed school blocks for which she was apparently paid, sought to investigate why the affected communities did not report to government for corrective action. The study reveals that communities raised their concerns about the poor contractor but she threatened to pull out and went on to say that she was answerable to the government and not the local community. As a result of theses threats the communities resolved to become passive observers of the projects. They were effectively alienated from the projects. In the view of the affected communities, the contractor was dishonest, she took advantage of their poverty and low status to sideline and exploit them. Her apparent connection to the centre of power rendered the local communities powerless. To avoid similar situations of unaccountability, the affected communities suggested direct funding to communities for development projects. The communities would then be held accountable for the proper management of those funds, and the quality of the work on the project.

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School	: School of Humanities and Social Sciences
Issued Date	: 2006

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