By Tiwongwe Kampondeni. 

The British Government has bemoaned Malawi’s level of Corruption, saying it was getting worse every moment.

“Some have tried to dismiss the perceptions index as unscientific and unrepresentative, the views of a few disgruntled foreign businessmen. 

“That is wrong. The trend is clear. Corruption is getting worse and gradually eating away at the fabric of Malawi society,” said British High Commissioner Norman Ling.

Speaking yesterday in Lilongwe during the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday, Ling said corruption in the country had doubled in recent years.

The High Commissioner said in 2000, Malawi was on 43^rd place with a reputation as one of the least corrupt countries in Africa.

“But last year, Malawi had slipped to 83 0n the list.”

The High commissioner said he was confident the amendment to the Corrupt Practices Act approved by the last parliament would make Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) more effective in tackling Corruption through investigative and Preventative work.

However, the envoy was quick to point out that his government would continue to support the Malawi ACB in its effort to curb the practice.

“The UK will continue to support the Anti-Corruption effort in Malawi provided there is similar commitment on the part of Government and its agencies. I welcome the President’s (Bingu Wa Mutharika) statement of zero tolerance for corruption,” he said.

Ling, however, said the biggest challenge facing the country was the economy. He said Malawi was further away from meeting most of the millennium development goals than when those goals were first set more than a decade ago. He was sceptical about the prospects of any improvements so long as national expenditure exceeded the national income.

“I welcome the Presidents’ commitment in his inaugural speech to reduce government expenditure and work with the private sector in generating growth. But early action is required if we are to prevent the current fiscal crisis becoming worse and doing further damage to an already weak economy, he said.

On poverty Ling said British Prime Minister Tony Blair recently established a Commission for Africa to take a fresh look at Africa’s problems and the international communities’ role in solving them.

“Malawi is not the only country in Africa to have experienced an increase in poverty levels. Reversing that trend is a major challenge facing both African Governments and donor nations. My government is rising to that challenge,” said Ling.

First Deputy President Cassim Chilumpha, who represented government at the function, said government was aware of the problems that continue to dog Malawi and that it was time to put words into action.

The time for political pep talk is over. It’s now time for action. We are ready to slim down in our expenditures but not to the extent of having skeletons,” said Chilumpha. The Vice- President said despite 10 years having passed since referendum of 1993, there were still many obstacles to the full entrenchment of a Constitutional and Democratic order in this Country.

We know that the many reforms that have been carried out during the last decade, sound economic management and reduction of poverty remain major challenges to government. We are also aware that in spite of the very good work that the Anti-Corruption Bureau is doing, there is still room for improving its performance,” he said.