Update: The Public Accounts Committee has ordered EMJ Advisory Public Accountants to submit all contract documents and emails related to the Amaryllis Hotel valuation deal, according to MBC. In a related development, Nico Asset Managers formally distanced itself from the controversial agreement. Nyasa Times reports that Chief Executive Officer Daniel Dunga told the committee the firm had previously warned stakeholders about the financial and liquidity risks involved, officially withdrawing its advisory role in the transaction.
The administration of President Arthur Peter Mutharika is pushing to integrate digital systems across various public sectors to stimulate economic growth and improve service delivery. According to MBC, government officials stated that adopting new technologies will help resolve current administrative delays. The initiative is being backed by the Japanese government, with Ambassador Naito Yasushi recently meeting officials to reaffirm Japan's commitment to assisting Malawi with its digital transition.
In the health sector, Malawi has reached full utilisation of its Mpox vaccines as the country records a steady decline in cholera cases, MBC reports. This development eases pressure on a medical system that has recently battled multiple regional disease outbreaks.
In other domestic news, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Lands commended the Food and Agriculture Organisation for providing technical support and equipment to accelerate customary land registration processes in Kasungu District, according to MBC. Meanwhile, the opposition Malawi Congress Party has officially acknowledged a K132 million unpaid city rates debt owed to the Blantyre City Council. Nyasa Times reports the party pledged to settle the balance after Blantyre Mayor Isaac Jomo Osman temporarily shut down their Chichiri offices to enforce compliance.