Scotland Oxfam says Malawi govt lacks ‘openness and transparency’on maize purchase

A powerful international NGO has become the second in a week to accuse the government of lacking openness and transparency in the way it is buying maize.

Head of Scotland Oxfam, Jimmy Lingson said there lack or very little information on where exactly the government is buying the maize from and has kept to its chest the organisations or companies selling the maize.

“This is making it very difficult for NGOs to come and help,” he said.

This comes barely days after head of DfID for West and southern Africa also expressed concern over lack of openness and transperency in the way the government is handling the maize issue.

Lingson said there is a lot to be done to ensure that people have food.

“There is need for the government to be open and transparent so that all stakeholders can plan well,” he said.

Malawi  Oxfarm Country Director, John Makina expressed surprise that up to now ADMARC Depots are not opened so that those with money can be able to buy the grain.

Makina said it is time for ADMARC officials to be part of planning process.

“Since we started meetings they have not attended even one so we wonder what is happening, ” Said Makina.

“ADMARC has been absent so far from the response and do no participate in key meetings to provide information related to their stocks. According to last update Admarc said they have 81,000 Metric Tonnes of maize,” Said Makina.

While in the country, Livingstone held meetings with various stakeholders and donors.

Livingstone also visited Oxfarm Scottish Government funded projects on Solar Irrigation Technologies.

Currently, 948, 470 drought affected people have received support of in kind food aid in three districts of Nsanje, Chikwawa and Balaka.
While 383, 306 people will receive cash transfer in Nsanje, Balaka , Chikwawa, Neno, Ntcheu and Salima.

Malawi is currently famous with people who knows how to by pass system in favour of their pockets.

Government officials asked for more time before they comment on the matter.