The Malawian government has called on communities to take greater ownership of public infrastructure and resist vandalism, as officials seek to safeguard investments made in rural development projects across the country. Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Phiri made the appeal in Dedza district during the official opening of the Bwanali Water Reticulation System, a project designed to bring safe drinking water to communities previously reliant on unsafe sources. Phiri said the scheme would meaningfully improve access to clean water for residents in the area, addressing a longstanding public health concern in the district. The project, which cost approximately K75 million, is expected to benefit around 1,750 people across the Bwanali, Nsolo, Nankhumba and Makwinja areas under Traditional Authority Kachindamoto in Dedza District. The minister’s appeal for community ownership reflects a recurring challenge facing rural infrastructure schemes in Malawi, where vandalism and poor maintenance have previously undermined the longevity of similar development projects across the country.