Artificial turf withheld over non-payment
A company that government engaged to supply and install an artificial turf at Kamuzu Stadium, has refused to start the work until government pays in full for the facility, Weekend Nation can reveal.
According to the two sides’ agreement which we have seen, the company, ACT Global, initially offered Malawi the Xtreme Turf DX60 at $499 520 (about K362 million)and accepted to give a discount of $45 000 (about K32 million).
“Our price includes shipping and all transportation to Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, repair to base as necessary, supply and installation of turf and infill, sports equipment [goalposts, substitute benches, and corner flags], maintenance equipment including new tractor and brushes. Payment is 70 percent with order and balance of 30 percent on shipment of goods,” reads the agreement between ACT Global and government dated May 2.
But after negotiations, ACT Global went down to 60 percent pre-payment with 40 percent to be paid after shipment of the turf.
However, documents we have seen show that government paid the initial $100 000 (about K72 million) and later paid another $133 000 (about K96 million).
The company has since put its foot down that it cannot ship the turf from Washington DC or start work until the remaining amount is paid in full.
ACT Global managing director Chris Clapham, who jetted into the country last week to meet government officials on the issue, confirmed the development.
He met government officials in Blantyre comprising principal sports officer Joseph Kayamba, a Mrs. Malamula who is sports officer, and Chasowa Mdoka from procurement department.
ACT Global has since warned that Malawi government is facing a race against time since the turf installation window is closing because of the impending rainy season.
“Once the rains start, [the turf] installation will be delayed until next year,” he said.
Director of sports in the Ministry of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development Jameson Ndalama, said he was yet to meet the officials that met the ACT Golobal head.
“Of course, there was that meeting which discussed the installation of the artificial turf at Kamuzu Stadium. But I cannot comment much because the offcilas that were sent to meet the ACT Globlal official, have not yet submitted a report to me,” he said.
In the 2017/18 National Budget statement, Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe said government allocated K1.5 billion for the stadium’s renovations and construction of a new one in the city.
Government, according to Ndalama, plans to ensure the facility is in ‘usable state’.
