CoST Malawi drills MDAs in project data upload

Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (CoST) Malawi has trained officials from government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) in uploading data and information on projects to curb corruption and promote transparency in the construction sector.

Speaking during the training workshop at Sunbird Mzuzu on Thursday, Joe Ching’ani, who chairs the Multi-stakeholder Group (MSG) that drives CoST Malawi, said the construction industry has been a closed domain for some time.

He said: “By uploading all relevant information and data related to infrastructure project for interested stakeholders to access information on the portal, we will help to level the playing field and instill confidence in the public in procuring and implementation systems.”

Ching’ani also said the project will help in informing and empowering citizens to hold dutybearers to account because informed citizens and responsive public institutions help drive reforms, thereby reducing mismanagement, inefficiency, corruption and poor quality infrastructure.

One of the trainers, Evelyn Hernandez, said the training also focused on open contracting for infrastructure data standard and aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in the infrastructure industry.

“Public disclosure of data helps people to understand projects and ask relevant questions on accountability to government,” she said.

The project is being implemented in collaboration with National Construction Industry Council, Partnership for Transparency Fund and other organisations.

CoST Malawi is implementing the project which is promoting disclosure, validation and interpretation of public infrastructure procurement data by procuring and disposing entities since 2017. The data will be uploaded on the Information Platform for Public Infrastructure.