The US$10 million Nkopola Irrigation Scheme in Mangochi was abandoned by the previous Government after it plunged into debts, but Vice-President Saulos Chilima had pledged that the current administration will reactivate the project.
Chilima, who is on a tour of the country to assess development projects that have been stalled due to some logistical hiccups, was in Mangochi on Tuesday and was told Nkopola Irrigation Scheme has accumulated debt arrears and excessive electricity bills.
The project, which commenced in 2003 got an Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA) financial injection at 79%, but the Malawi government has been struggling to honour its 21% portion.