By Mercy Matonga:
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has launched an investigation into fertiliser procurement deals following a complaint received by the bureau.
Various procurement deals by the government through the Ministry of Agriculture and the Smallholder Farmers Fertiliser Revolving Fund have come under scrutiny recently.
ACB spokesperson Egrita Ndala told The Daily Times that the bureau is looking into allegations of wrongdoing but refrained from providing further details.
“The bureau received a complaint regarding the procurement of fertiliser and is handling it as it does with all complaints,” Ndala said.
Ndala’s statement follows information obtained by The Daily Times, suggesting that some senior government officials involved in the fertiliser procurement deal are under investigation.
However, Ndala declined to provide further details, insisting that ACB investigations are confidential.
“Without prejudice to our response, our investigations are secret and confidential; therefore, we cannot disclose further details,” she said.
Among the recent controversies, in April 2024, the government, through the Ministry of Agriculture, reportedly attempted to grant a contract to a purported Dubai-based company affiliated with the Office of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Al- Qassim.
The proposed contract allegedly was drafted without following public procurement procedures.
The Ministry of Agriculture reportedly requested approval from the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) to proceed with awarding a contract for the supply of 600,000 metric tonnes of urea and 300,000 metric tonnes of NPK, seeking a “no objection” contrary to the PPDA Act.
It is further alleged that the multi-billion deal was facilitated by senior government officials.
In 2022, the government paid $727,000 (K750 million) to a London-based meat-producing company for the procurement of 25,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser meant for the Affordable Inputs Programme.
The company failed to deliver the fertiliser despite being paid in advance and the government has been struggling to reclaim the money.
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