ACB restricts award of Marka-Bangula Railway Line Construction to Mota Engil
Graft-busting body, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has issued a restriction order not to proceed with the K48 billion contract award for designing, upgrading and rehabilitation of the Marka to Bangula railway.
According to a statement signed by Principal Public Relations Officer, Egrita Ndala the bureau restricts the Ministry of Transport and Public Works from dealing with a contract following complaints of irregularities.
Mota Engil was awarded the contract but is embroidered in allegations of corruption, embezzlement and fraud in its dealings with the previous governing parties Democratic Progressive Party and Peoples Party.
“Pursuant to its powers under section 23(1) of the Corrupt Practices Act on 3rd September, 2021 the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) issued a restriction notice to Ministry of Transport and Public Works on a contract reference number MTPW/IPDC/DORS/01/2020-2021,” reads the statement in part.
Further reads the statement: “The Ministry [of Transport and Public Works] is, therefore, restricted from proceeding with the award of the [said] contract until the ACB has concluded the investigation or lifted the restriction notice.”
Mota Engil has enjoyed preferential treatment over the last 20 years, of course with no praiseworthy construction done.
Last week, Phillip Kamangira, Chairperson of Centre for Mindset Change asked government to immediately halt the contract it has awarded to Mota Engil to work on the railway line within seven days citing irregularities and poor contracts delivery.
According to the letter dated January 11, 2021, the ACB gave a go ahead to the Director General of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) to use ‘single sourcing method’ to the Ministry of Transport and Public Works to engage Mota Engil Africa to design, upgrade and rehabilitate the said railway section.
In the notification of intention to award contract, the Internal Procurement and Disposal Committee of the Ministry of Transport and Public Works says it awarded the contract REFNO. MTPW/IPDC/DORS/01/2020-2021 to Mota Engil at the cost of K48, 244, 861, 524.98.
Other companies that submitted bids are: Rail Construction/Malbro of Malawi at K60.4 billion, China Civil Engineering Construction at approximately K79.8 billion and ABD/G01den Star/Lennin JV of Malawi/Republic of South Africa at K95.6 billion.
Mota Engil is heavily involved in the railway infrastructure in Malawi with joint ownership of the then Central East Africa Railways, the concession holder. They are have billion dollars debts which former Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe on behalf of the Malawi government guaranteed.
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This story isn’t adding up. Why are we crying of single-sourcing when in fact the other contractors submitted their bids as indicated in the award notice. Anthu enatu mukungofuna kuchedwetsa ntchito za Boma apa…
You are quite right, single sourcing in a competitive bid does not make sense. Over and above Mota has the lowest bid price of the lot. Unless something is under wraps, they deserve to be awarded the contract. The only problem is that the final contract amount might be double if history is anything to go by……
I checked with a friend of mine and he clarified that this procurement was not single source because four bidders participated. Secondly, regarding low bid from Mota, there is a regulation dealing with unrealistically low bids. You don’t just wake up and say bidder ABC is low and cannot do the works. Reading through your story I get a sense that there were invisible politicians who pressurised both the Ministry of Works and PPDA to ensure Mota got the contract. Being the lowest priced bidder, what would be the motivation for Mota to seek extra hand to be favoured? Regarding… Read more »
Nkhani siya DPP. Ndiyqmbava za lerozi. Dpp ikuchokera kuti. Ndine wa Tonse Alliance, tiyeni tizichotsa chitsotso chathu
Mota Engil has the capacity to rehabilitate the railway line. They did a good job for the Nacala line from Moatze to Nacala. DPP sowed seeds of corruption everywhere in Malawi. Look at the poor workmanship on all roads in the cities.
And was lowest of all bids but the single sourcing tag is a problem. Let it be open tender
Looking at the in costs mota engil ikufuna kuononga ndalama zathu
Komatu sizoti angochedwetsa contract yo. Ife anthu a kuno just Nsanje tikumatchani muona
Well done ACB a very corrupt company MOTA indeed. Who awarded the contract should be investigated. MOTA is very good at bribing.
Stop being double-sided you gave a go ahead why backtracking now, useless