Livingstonia Synod applauds AG Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda’s tough stance on corruption

The Church and Society Programme of CCAP Synod of Livingstonia commended the tough stand the incumbent Attorney General (AG) Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda has taken against corruption in the awarding of contracts by government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

During a press briefing he jointly held with the Minister of Information, Gospel Kazako, Chakaka Nyirenda warned that any public officer found on the wrong side of the procurement guidelines and procedures, especially in facilitating unsound contracts, leading to government losing money will, apart from getting a custodial sentences, have their property ceased to recover funds.

Mkandawire: AG’s stance on corruption is welcome news

And its reaction to the declaration, the Church and Society Programme of CCAP Synod of Livingstonia said it is impressed with the measures the Tonse Alliance government is undertaking to tackle corruption in the country.

The Programme’s Executive Director, Moses Mkandawire, who signed a statement issued on Monday evening, observed that the award of this contract has failed to provide Malawians with an improvement of passport service or the value for money they deserve from government services.

“We seek immediate action to rescind this contract and to develop this service in a way that protects public resources and meets the needs of Malawians. On public procurement, debt and financial transparency, we agree that public contracts have been monopolized by those with money and influence inside Malawi and from beyond our borders.

“As such, Malawians have not only been denied effective services, but Malawian businesses have also been denied the chance to participate in the process of improving those services and the financial opportunities that come from doing so,” said Mkandawire in the statement.

He said while the Programme is welcoming the statement, it is also looking for effective remedial action to stop the plunder of public resources.

Mkandawire recommended that this should involve stringent safeguards and due diligence in future contracting and also the recovery of lost resources from illegal contracts and the punishment of those responsible without fear or favour.

“In a time when Malawians are feeling extreme economic pressure the government must do all it can to protect and increase revenue without punishing household budgets. Debt recovery and fair and transparent dealings with international funding bodies represent a step in the right direction.

“The focus of such efforts should not be lost through political point-scoring and targeting only deals made during the previous administration. The measure of this government’s success should also be in its ability to deal with the ongoing issues of corruption and poor stewardship of public resources.

“Church and Society Programme has stood with Malawians and wider civil society for many years in advocating for an end to corruption. Public funds are meant for public prosperity, not private plunder. We will continue to work with government to make that a reality,” assured Mkandawire.

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