Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives-CDEDI has written Transport Minister, Jacob Hara to cancel the ministry’s intention of awarding the Bangula-Marka Railway Project contract to China Railway 20 Bureau Group; citing the company’s past poor performance.

CDEDI Executive Director, Sylvester Namiwa tells the minister to personally consider withdrawing the authorization letter to the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets to pave way for a deeper and sincere soul searching on the company being awarded the contract.

“CDEDI would like to bring to your attention Section 53 Subsection 2(f) of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act of 2017, which among many others cites past performance as one of the criteria in deciding to award a contract to a contractor. It is an open secret that Malawians are dissatisfied with the quality of works CR20 is implementing on the Nsanje-Marka road project,” reads part of the letter.

Again, Namiwa tells Hara to cancel the contract if indeed his interest is to serve Malawians without impunity, arrogance and personal selfish interests.

Hara is yet to comment on CDEDI’s demands.

Transport authorities have settled for China Railway 20 Bureau Group for maintenance of the 44-kilometre Bangula-Marka railway project which will now cost K20 billion more.

Initially, Mota-Engil Construction Company was awarded the contract with an offer of K48 billion. But this was later cancelled amid concerns on procurement irregularities.

_Rainbow_