ACB still probing RBM Mzuzu project, BWB
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) says it is still investigating alleged malpractices, breach of contractual and procurement procedures in the construction of the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) Mzuzu Branch.
The bureau has also said it is still probing Blantyre Water Board (BWB) on allegations of abuse of office levelled against the board’s suspended chief executive (CE) Andrew Thawe and procurement irregularities at the board.
However, ACB senior public relations officer Egrita Ndala—in an e-mailed response to questionnaire on Thursday—said the bureau cannot discuss specifics of the investigations being conducted in the two BWB issues as doing so may jeopardise the probe.
Asked about progress of the RBM Mzuzu Project investigations, Ndala said: “The Anti-Corruption Bureau is still reviewing the documentation in relation to the complaint regarding the construction of Mzuzu branch of the Reserve Bank of Malawi.
“The bureau continues to receive cooperation from the Office of the Director of Public Procurement in the various matters which require its assistance.”
The RBM Mzuzu Branch construction project probe was opened in February this year while that of Thawe started in September 2014. ACB launched investigations into the alleged procurement irregularities at BWB in October 2014.
When the ACB launched the investigations into the RBM Mzuzu Branch project, it requested for some information from the central bank as part of the probe whereas in the BWB alleged procurement, the graft-busting body gave the board a 48-hour notice to furnish it with papers considered essential in effecting investigations into suspected wrongful acts.
In December last year, The Nation revealed in an investigative story that the RBM Mzuzu Branch project was hit by problems, including disagreements among stakeholders, some central bank figures, project managers and supervising architects on costs, deadlines and procurement issues.
On the BWB probe of procurement irregularities, ACB’s notice to the board followed an investigation report carried out by the Office of the Director of Public Procurement (ODPP), which alleged abuse of office.
