Ministry terminates police land barter deal
Ministry of Homeland Security has terminated a barter contract with Worldwide Construction Company Limited for the relocation of Malawi Police Service (MPS) C Division to Areas 2, 6, 30 and 47 in Lilongwe.
The deal was based on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the Ministry of Homeland Security and the company during the era of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) dated May 7 2019.
Under the MoU, the company was expected to construct an office complex with 24 offices and three-bedroom police houses in exchange for 20 174 hectares (ha) where police C Division is currently located opposite Lilongwe CCAP and next to Lilongwe Bus Depot.
But in a letter of termination of contract we have seen dated December 15 2021 addressed to Abdullah Master, Ministry of Homeland Security Principal Secretary Kennedy Nkhoma said the decision followed advice from the Attorney General (AG) “on the basis of convenience and public interests”.
He wrote: “I further wish to inform you to immediately stop constructing the houses subject to the memorandum of understanding.
“Government will honour any claims for payment of works satisfactorily completed and reimbursable expenses after a thorough assessment has been done.”
In an interview on Thursday, AG Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda confirmed advising the ministry to terminate the contract, but declined to give further details because he was not mandated to share the same with third parties such as the media.
He said: “I confirm giving the advice, but I am not in a position to give you the context of the advice unless I get permission from the Ministry of Homeland Security because this advice is privileged.”
In a separate interview, Nkhoma also refused to give reasons for terminating the barter contract, saying the issue bordered on security.
In the three-phased contract, the company was also expected to construct a multipurpose hall, 140 police houses, an armoury, a shooting range, a garage with inspection pit as well as parade and football grounds.
Phase two of the deal included construction of an additional 160 three bed-room residential houses at the National Police Headquarters in Area 30, Lilongwe.
Under the arrangement, the contractor was responsible for the design, procurement and construction of the three-packaged project.
The decision comes weeks after the AG also ordered the Department of Immigration and Citizenship Services to terminate a multi-billion kwacha passport contract government under DPP had signed with Techno Brain in March 2019.
In August 2020, Minister of Homeland Security Chimwendo Banda asked the Ministry of Lands to review the barter deal.
