Hamra Oil boss Farook working illegally in Malawi from Dubai

Country director of a shell company that was given the mandate to explore oil in Malawi, Hamra Oil Holdings Limited, Dr Muhammed Joseph Farook is working in Malawi illegally as he has no work permit.

Farook came into Malawi on December 5, 2014 as a tourist. He, however, picked up employment as country manager for three companies, Hamra Oil Holding Limited, Pacific Oil—both shell companies and Rak Gas.

Immigration Department sources told Nyasa Times that they were coy to pounce on  Farook because  two od President Peter Mutharika’s aides, assisted Farook to start working in Malawi with only a tourist visa and that he has joined the league of “untouchables” with the connection to the power-that-be.

“Malawi Immigration laws stipulate expatriate must apply for work permits in their country of resident. However Dr Farook is already working in Malawi without any work permit.

“This is because Mutharika’s aides were involved,” said the source at the Immigration.

Presidential aide Bright Malopa met Hamra Chief Executive Officer, a United Arab of Emirate Minister of Energy ,  Kamala Tayya  at Capital Hotel in Lilongwe where he brokered the deal of  bringing in of Farook illegally.

The source said the two Mutharika aides were seen jostling each other at Capital hotel trying to meet Kamala, despite then Malopa being in plaster of paris after an injury.

“These boys are selling the country. This is the evidence how can they allow a foreigner to take charge of country’s affairs,” said the source.

The UAE has changed managers more than three times from February 2014 when they took over management of the oil exploration.

“Local politicians literary kneel before this man. Mutharika was invited to go UAE and he accepted the offer despite obvious evidence that the company does not respect the country’s laws,” said the source.

“It is yet to be seen what government will do to Dr Farook who is working in the country illegally. There is money changing hands,” he said.

The company is exploring oil on Lake Malawi, specifically in Karonga, Nkhata Bay, Rumphi and Nkhotakota districts.

Hamra Oil Holdings Company during their presentation to people in Karonga end of September indicated that government has given them blocks on Lake Malawi through ministry of Foreign Affairs.