By Jonah Pankuku:
Governance and human rights commentators are demanding accountability from senior government officials over the $6.8 billion Bridgin Foundation deal, which they claim embarrassed President Lazarus Chakwera and the nation.
These observers argue that Malawi was misled regarding the agreement, which was finalised at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe in November 2022.
Their concerns are triggered by the government’s silence on the deal, despite the high-profile nature of its signing.
Minister of Information and Digitisation, Moses Kunkuyu, has maintained that the agreement remains valid.
However, Mabvuto Bamusi, Publicity Secretary of the Political Scientist Association, criticised the handling of the matter, highlighting negligence, carelessness and undue enthusiasm.
“Given that the Head of State was misinformed and misled, those responsible for this should face serious disciplinary action. The President was humiliated and the State House was reduced to a mere stage during the signing ceremony,” Bamusi said.
He further argued that the government should account for taxpayers’ money spent on administrative costs, such as travel and accommodation related to the deal.
Another governance commentator, Wonderful Mkhutche, suggested that the government’s silence indicates an awareness of the deception involved.
“That grant seemed too good to be true and we must move on to prevent such occurrences in the future.
“The Tonse Alliance Government has failed to ensure accountability and this issue is a prime example. By now, there should be someone held responsible,” Mkhutche said.
Secretary to the Treasury, Betchani Tchereni, declined to provide an update, saying Kunkuyu, as government spokesperson, was better positioned to comment.
In an interview with The Daily Times, Kunkuyu reiterated that the agreement with the Foundation was still valid.
“Like any development cooperation agreement, preparatory activities are necessary. These preparations are underway and once completed, we will move forward with implementing the projects,” the government spokesperson stated.
Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) Chairperson, Gift Trapence, expressed astonishment that the government continues to pursue the Bridgin Foundation deal despite concerns about its credibility.
“We do not expect the government to invest time and resources in something questionable. HRDC urges the government to terminate the agreement and focus on other institutions capable of delivering such projects more swiftly,” Trapence said.
The grant was intended for the construction, equipping and operationalisation of a Hi-Tech Kamuzu University Teaching Hospital in Blantyre, with satellite facilities in Mzuzu, Lilongwe and Mangochi.
It also included the development of power generation facilities with a total capacity of one gigawatt, infrastructure upgrades, transmission and the construction of twin towers at Capital Hill.
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