CSOs push for report on AIP money
The Grand Coalition for Civil Society Organisations has asked Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda to issue a progress report detailing all attempts done and the prospects of recovering the K750 million which was paid to a German account of Barkaat Food limited.
Government paid the money to the company as part of what was supposed to be for buying fertiliser under the 2022-23 Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP).
The company never delivered the goods and it turned out it was not dealing in fertiliser supply in any way.
A statement signed by the coalition’s chairperson Agape Khombe and director of operations Frederick Malata stresses that Nyirenda and the government must endeavour to make periodic and routine reporting to Malawians.
“We have noted with sadness that information from government is not coming out voluntarily unless squeezed. As long as the government is not forthcoming with information, it sends wrong signals to the public, which leads to speculations that the efforts are just a cover up,” the statement reads.
Malata insisted that the public is justified to demand accountability on the matter, especially considering that Nyirenda promised that the money would be recovered.
“We will patiently wait on the action of the government and the AG but we will be expecting routine feedback on the matter. We hope that the government and the AG will take cognisant of the things we have said,” Malata said.
In an interview Sunday, Nyirenda reiterated that the matter is in court in Germany.
“We will be able to get the money but we are still waiting for the court determination in Germany,” the AG said.
Last week the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (Cdedi) gave Nyirenda seven days to explain to Malawians whether he has managed to recover the K750 million.
Cdedi Executive Director Silvester Namiwa wondered why months are passing without authorities providing concrete information on the recovery of the money.
Namiwa added that if the AG had failed to recover the money, he should resign.
