Parliamentary committee cautions WASAMA on water tariff hike proposal
By Martha Chikoti
The Parliamentary Cluster Committee on Agriculture, Irrigation and Natural Resources and Climate Change has advised the Water Services Association of Malawi (WASAMA) to prioritise the poor before proposing for water tariff adjustments.
Speaking on Friday after meeting with WASAMA representatives and Water Boards, the committee chairperson Tiaone Hendry, emphasised that any tariff changes should prioritize the welfare of low-income households and rural communities to ensure that vulnerable groups are protected.
“We have told them to put the poor person in the village at heart; they should think of those who might not be able to afford the new tariffs. However, we acknowledge the challenges they are facing and pledge to take this proposal to other committees at parliament for scrutiny,” she explained.
She said the committee’s stance is to support water boards in improving their services while considering the welfare of low-income households and rural communities.
The meeting with WASAMA was part of the ongoing 2026/2027 fiscal year budget consultations.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Water Development, Henrie Manford Njoloma, emphasized on adjustment of the tariffs saying the current tariffs are not cost-recovering, hence affecting water boards’ financial sustainability.
He underscored that adjustments will enable water boards to invest in operations, maintenance, and improvements.
“What we are proposing is that they adjust tariffs, give water boards revenue, and hold them accountable for performance,” stressed Njoloma
According to Chairperson for Blantyre Water Board, Stanley Chirwa, water boards are facing a widening gap between current tariffs and the real cost of services, threatening the reliability of supply.
He added that without timely tariff adjustments, the sector risks service interruptions, infrastructure deterioration, and escalating deficits.
“Parliament plays a central role in shaping national priorities, ensuring accountability, and safeguarding public interest; that is why we are engaging them to support this proposal,” he said.
The committee also questioned the proposal to establish a new water supply regulator, suggesting instead that regulatory functions be integrated within existing authorities to avoid adding an economic burden.