CDEDI held a press briefing in Lilongwe today, Thursday, February 24, 2022 regarding its demand for an audit on road and water supply projects and disclosure of contractual agreements.
Here is a full statement delivered by CDEDI Executive Director Mr. Sylvester Namiwa
DEMAND FOR AN AUDIT ON ROAD AND WATER SUPPLY PROJECTS AND DISCLOSURE OF CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS
The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) believes the current disaster Malawi is experiencing due natural disasters, lately Cyclone Ana, has provided an opportunity for the country to raise the standards of public infrastructures and fight the deep-rooted corruption which is entrenched in the construction industry.
CDEDI is therefore, challenging Malawians to develop the spirit of keeping an eye on public infrastructure projects that are being implemented in their respective areas as one way of guaranteeing value for the money spent on such projects such as the construction of roads, railways and bridges.
CDEDI has noted with great concern that the heavy rain downpour the country is currently experiencing has exposed poor workmanship, negligence and outright total disregard of contractual details in the implementation of roads, railways and bridges.
It does not need emphasis that a good road network is a catalyst for development.
However, as a country, we have witnessed needless loss of lives due to road accidents, as a result of poor conditions of the roads and washing away of bridges.
Although the impact of the cyclones has been very devastating, Malawians are their own witnesses that poor workmanship has contributed significantly to loss of lives, government finances and livelihoods.
It is against this background that CDEDI is challenging the National Roads Authority (NRA) to conduct a projects audit on roads, railway lines and bridges against the details of the contracts that were initially signed.
In the interest of transparency and accountability, CDEDI is demanding the disclosure of contractual agreements for the following roads:
1.Jenda-Edingeni Road in Mzimba district
2.Karonga – Songwe Road Rehabilitation
3.Mzimba Mzarangwe Road
4.Kapiri-Mkanda Road
5.Ntchisi – Malomo Road
6.Kenyatta Drive & Sharrar Street
7.Ntcheu Tsangano (From Mwanza side)
8.Nsanje – Marka Road
9.Nsanama – Nayuchi Road
CDEDI has given the NRA seven (7) days to provide the requested information.
Still in the Transport sector, CDEDI wishes to implore that going forward Malawi must deploy due diligence in tender processes for all key projects. One such project is the 72-kilometer Nsanje- Marka railway line whose tender process is underway. CDEDI calls upon the Ministry of Transport and Public Works to provide adequate soul searching and due diligence to ensure that the company it hires for the project is of impeccable expertise and good repute.
In addition, CDEDI would like to call for an audit by relevant authorities on other key projects in the Water and Sanitation. We are also of the view that this is one sector that needs constant check to ensure that Malawians have access to clean and potable water. Some project for which we demand audits are;
1-Karonga Water Supply Project
2-Nkhatabay Water Supply Project
CDEDI hereby requests Northern Region Water Board to institute the audit process in regards to these projects as soon as possible.
SYLVESTER NAMIWA
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
(0993 462 700)
