Maravi

Norway suspends aid to ZAWA

Norway suspends aid to ZAWA
Written by Chibaula Silwamba
Thursday, June 11, 2009 12:36:18 PM

TOURISM minister Catherine Namugala has revealed that the Norwegian government is extremely upset over ZAWA’s payment of K1.4 billion to Tomorrow Investments, which has no capacity to construct roads in Mfuwe in Eastern Province.

And well-placed sources have revealed that the Norwegian government has since suspended its financial aid to Zambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA) because of the road construction scandal.

Commenting on revelations that the Ministry of Finance and National Planning had reported ZAWA director general Dr Lewis Saiwana, his management and former head of procurement Bwalya Selemani to the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) for investigations over the alleged irregular awarding of a road construction contract in Mfuwe to Tomorrow Investments, Namugala vowed to ensure that all the officers that would be found wanting in the scandal were prosecuted.

"Yes, the Norwegians have written and they have indicated that they are unhappy about it and they have reason to be unhappy about it because yes our officials mishandled the contract with Tomorrow Investments. They have written to us and we have in turn asked ZAWA to explain and they have given us explanation," said Namugala in an interview.

"But as things stand, yes the Norwegians have the right to be upset because it's their money and they are assisting us so that we can assist our people to reduce the poverty levels."

Asked about reports that the Norwegian government had withheld funding to ZAWA because of this scandal, Namugala responded:

"We are still talking to the Norwegians, they have basically said, 'look, the K1.4 billion we are not happy that ZAWA gave the money to Tomorrow Investments and Tomorrow Investments have not shown capacity and therefore we are unhappy'. Yes, they are unhappy. They have indicated that and we need to talk more. We have communicated with them, we are still talking."

She said Norway had not withdrawn funding but had expressed discomfort over the Tomorrow Investments saga and discussions were ongoing to persuade them to continue financing ZAWA.

"I have told the Norwegian saying, 'look this is something we can resolve between yourselves and us'," Namugala said. "Yes it's true that there was a problem with Tomorrow Investments and that president [Levy] Mwanawasa had instructed the Zambia Wildlife Authority to terminate the contract with Tomorrow Investments. But by the time the president was giving that instruction the contract had actually already been terminated."

She observed that money was paid to Tomorrow Investments without the company showing capacity to do the job.

"Although it happened before I came to this ministry I want to see to it that this kind of thing does not happen while I am here or even after. I strongly feel that the country needs to have money properly spent," she said. "I am quite concerned myself as minister about the level of negligence on the part of officials whether in government and even in statutory institutions when it comes to public resources. I want to ensure that as much as possible, there is accountability on the part of civil servants and those working in statutory institutions."

Namugala said she had meetings with ZAWA management and assured the donors that this mistake would not recur.

"The Norwegians are some of our faithful partners especially for South Luangwa National Park; they have done a lot in the management of the park and South Luangwa National Park is one of the best parks in Zambia and therefore, for us, we value partnership between the Norwegian government and ourselves and we will not allow this situation to sour our relationship. If the officers did anything criminal, we will ensure that the law takes its course," said Namugala.

"ZAWA has also said three officers were arrested before in connection with Tomorrow Investments' contract, they were even charged but for some reasons they have not been taken to court so I have told ZAWA to follow up and give me a reason why the police have not taken the officials to court."

Labels: CATHERINE NAMUGALA, CORRUPTION, DONORS, NORWAY, ZAWA

posted by MrK @ 11:40 AM