HRDC pens ACB over alleged fraud at Lilongwe water board and LIHACO.
Human Rights Defenders Coalition has penned the anti-corruption bureau over alleged fraud at Lilongwe water board and LIHACO.
According to the two letters dated 6th November, HRDC has received reports that Lilongwe water board was financing personal activities of former deputy minister of irrigation Charles Nchacha and arbitrary award of several contracts at LIHACO in disregard of public procurement laws and regulations.
Signed by National chairperson Gift Trapence and its coordinator Luke Tembo HRDC alleges that the Lilongwe water Board procured furniture, paid for honeymoon, travel and accommodation coast for Hon Mchacha for his personal trips.
At LIHACO, HRDC accuses CEO Alick Kasaila for procuring and awarding several contracts to his allies without following proper procedures.
Among them is the 17.5 million kwacha contract which was not advertised for but was awarded to a company he single handedly identified.
It alleged that the company drilled the borehole at rented LIHACO head offices without the knowledge of the landlord.
Mr Kaisala is also being accused of awarding a 37 million kwacha contract for the supply of staff uniform to the board chairperson’s company without advertising.
“It is further alleged that this contract was not advertised and that the chairpersons company was not on the list of the prequalified suppliers”, adds the statement.
According to HRDC the company was not on the list of prequalified suppliers and was paid 205 million kwacha upon provision of the goods.
It further alleged that, “the Board chairperson and the CEO procured iPads worth 8 million kwacha without following procurement procedures”.
Mr Kasaila is also suspected of procuring ipads worthy k8 million without proper procedure.
It is also alleged that the accused the flouted procurement laws and guidelines during the awarding of a 640 million kwacha ground service equipment contract to his personal friend which is yet to be completed but was paid huge sums.
Finally HRDC alleges that MR Kasaila awarded 1.6 million kwacha open ended legal contract to a firm belonging to his friend without advertising.
“We appeal to the ACB to investigate the cases”, adds the statement.
