Malawi's Likoma Island Faces Controversy Over Sale of Project Bicycles
The IEYP, a five-year World Bank-sponsored nutrition program, targets children under five, their guardians, and expectant mothers.
LIKOMA ISLAND, Malawi — The implementation of the Investing in Early Years Program (IEYP) on Malawi's Likoma Island has come under scrutiny after allegations surfaced that beneficiaries are selling project-provided bicycles, writes Mercy Phiri.
Stakeholders are questioning the beneficiary identification criteria and distribution process for approximately 500 bicycles intended to improve mobility for program promoters, supervisors, and key partners.
Mathews Manyuka, Area Development Committee Chairperson for Likoma South, expressed concern over the situation.
"Failure by the authorities to conduct investigations raises more questions than answers," Manyuka said.
He added that some council officers are reportedly involved in misappropriating and selling the bicycles.
Critics accuse the program secretariat of neglecting to establish a monitoring system to track unauthorized sales of the bicycles.
Some beneficiaries have allegedly shipped bicycles to the mainland for sale.
Likoma District Commissioner Abubarkar Nkhoma denied the claims, stating that bicycle recipients were intended beneficiaries.
However, he acknowledged an oversight in implementing a monitoring strategy.
"We as a council are not aware that some beneficiaries have sold their bicycles. To us, we are satisfied when we see them riding when invited to meetings," Nkhoma said.
Manyuka has called for an audit to address concerns affecting IEYP implementation in Likoma.
He also warned against misappropriation of newly distributed bags and urged community members to report any malpractice to the police.
The IEYP, a five-year World Bank-sponsored nutrition program, targets children under five, their guardians, and expectant mothers.
Besides nutritional training, beneficiaries receive livestock, poultry, fruit seedlings, and other supplies.
This controversy highlights the challenges of implementing development projects in remote areas and the need for robust monitoring systems to ensure resources reach intended beneficiaries.