By IOMMIE CHIWALO
The Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) has embarked on an undertaking aimed at following up on all monies and other resources that the country received in the name of its citizens in the form of grants, loans, royalties, fines, forfeiture and taxes.
In a press statement made available to this publication, CDEDI is announcing the establishment of a toll-free line that will enable the general public to participate in the noble initiative.
“Well-meaning citizens are hereby advised that they can blow the whistle to anonymously report to us suspected corrupt practices, fraud, abuse of power or office, and violation of human rights by simply dialing 4384 for free on both Airtel and TNM mobile networks,” reads the statement signed by CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa.
According to Namiwa, the drive is necessitated by evidence of progress on the ground based on funding channeled to projects in question that were among the efforts to improve the national economic status of Malawi in reducing trade imbalances.
Namiwa wants funds that was paid during the previous Democratic Progressive Party regime amounting to $5 million to Inosselia, an Israeli firm registered in Cyprus, to construct an intensive high value vegetable farm on some 30 hectares of land near Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe recovered.
“At that time, the cost of one green house was estimated at $100 at most. To date, Malawians may wish to know that only 16 fully-fledged green houses have been constructed while four others were constructed for training. But it is sad to report that the said training no longer takes place,” he noted while adding that apart from the $5 million, the Malawi Government also pumped in K2.2 billion and K2.7 billion respectively, in respect of the beginning of what is known as the Greenbelt Initiative Greenhouses Limited (GBIGL), a purported joint venture between Greenbelt Authority and Inosselia.
CDEDI Executive Director says that it is sad that despite the said huge investment, the GBA, let alone the Ministry of Finance, has never been involved in the day-to-day running of the farm, and there has been no public declaration of sales from the farm.
Other revelations point at irregularity whereby it has been established that additional funds were pumped in the project, on 9th June 2021, through the then Acting GBA Chief Executive Officer Amon Mluwira, the Malawi Congress Party-led government signed an agreement with Inosselia, committing Malawians to what is known as management fees, pegged at $25,000 per month.
“”In view of the above, CDEDI has written the Secretary to Treasury (ST) Mr. Cliff Chiunda and the Chief Secretary Dr. Justin Saidi, demanding an immediate recovery of the much-sought-after foreign exchange that is in the hands of Inosselia. Furthermore, CDEDI has invoked the Access to Information (ATI) Act, demanding GBIGL to make public its audited accounts for the six years it has been operational,” Namiwa said.
He has further demanded GBIGL to make a detailed account of foreign exchange accrued from the vegetable exports declared to the Reserve Bank of Malawi and also that Government should provide a detailed exit plan, including details on how the company will pay back Malawians money before leaving the country, since it is clear that Inosselia has breached its contract with the Malawi Government.
“”Above all, Government should conduct a forensic audit of GBIGL in order to have a fair and clear view of how much Inosselia owes the people of Malawi. We also appeals to government through the new Finance Minister Hon Joseph Mwanamvekha to review the greenhouses’ initial contract in order to serve the interest of Malawians,” he said.
One of the governance experts based in Blantyre, Charles Mcheka has applauded CDEDI on its vibrant approach to exercising its watch dog role saying the demands are timely and realistic.
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