Malawi NRWB Water Efficiency

In July 2021, members from three communities in Northern Malawi complained regarding the social impact of an EIB-financed project of the Northern Region Water Board (NRWB). The main issues raised in the complaint concern stakeholder engagement, compensation and damages to properties. In January 2022, the Complaints Mechanism issued the initial assessment report and proposed to proceed with collaborative dispute resolution. Given the complexity of the case, three processes were carried out by the Complaints Mechanism with the support of two local facilitators.

The first process concerned cracks on a house that, according to its owner, were caused by the work on the project. In February 2022, the owner of the house and the promoter agreed on the choice of an independent engineer, who inspected the cracks. The engineer concluded that it cannot be established that the excavation works resulted in the alleged damage to the house.

The process with the Kazando community was concluded after a third session of dialogue facilitated by the Complaints Mechanism took place in July 2022. The parties reached agreement on five items: (i) installation of three communal water points, (ii) payment of the remaining compensations to 13 households, (iii) rehabilitation of a hall to-be-used as a health centre in Kazando as part of the promoter’s corporate social responsibility efforts, (iv) maintenance of some roads in Kazando and (v) assessment of the damage to structures and payments.

The process with Chipambo and Geisha communities was concluded in July 2022 with the withdrawal of the complainants. Despite this withdrawal, various concrete actions have been agreed as an outcome of earlier stages of the dialogue. In addition, the promoter undertook various steps to address the issues raised by the affected community members.

By August 2022, all three processes were closed and the dispute resolution reports issued. The Complaints Mechanism is monitoring the open actions points.