Maravi

Govt losing billions through Ministry of Works - Milupi

Govt losing billions through Ministry of Works - Milupi
By Fridah Zinyama
Friday August 24, 2007 [04:00]

THE Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has expressed concern over the billions of kwacha that the government is losing through projects that are not completed on time by the Ministry of Works and Supply. The PAC, chaired by Luena member of parliament Charles Milupi, has since asked Secretary to the Treasury Evan Chibiliti - who appeared before it during the week - to find a lasting solution to the problem.

"We have observed that almost 100 per cent of the contracts that are undertaken on behalf of government by the Ministry of Works and Supply are never completed on time and money is always lost," Milupi said.

He said there was urgent need for the ministry in question to improve its contract negotiation capacity, as there appeared to be deficiency in that area.

"We have observed that within contract negotiations, there appears to be capacity lacking or there is a deliberate attempt on the part of officials in the ministry to swindle government," he observed.

Milupi wondered why government officials in most cases requested for money to be released even before a contract payment certificate was ready.

"We see a weakness in contract negotiations and a half-hearted attempt by contractors to act as if they are following international standards of contract negotiations," he said.

Milupi said it appeared most government officials were conniving with contractors. "We are concerned that there is no one who represents the interests of government," Milupi said.

And Chibiliti acknowledged the fact that most projects were under-funded and that there were delays in releasing funds because finances were tied up in most ministries.

"To this end, we are coming up with a department that will help to enhance the monitoring and evaluation of finances when they are released to particular projects," he said.

Chibiliti said most ministries had a tendency to request funds and this always tied up the much-needed funds in other areas.

Of late, there have been several complaints especially from the Ministry of Works and Supply over the lack of funds and that this has led to delays in completion of various projects.

Labels: CHARLES MILUPI, CORRUPTION, MINISTRY OF WORKS AND SUPPLY, PAC

posted by MrK @ 3:54 AM