The Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency (CSAT) has called on President Lazarus Chakwera to urgently act on the fuel procurement scam at the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA).
There have been reports of proposed fuel supply deals between government through the ministry of transport works and NOCMA with G.E.T Global and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al Qasimi of the UAE.
In a statement released on Thursday, CSAT executive director Willy Kambwandira said they is deeply concerned with the reporter gross procedural violations in the procurement of fuel which the organization strongly believe were intended to defraud the Malawian people.
“We urgently call upon the President to take swift and decisive action on this matter. Additionally, we demand all public officers implicated in this scam to step aside to facilitate for an independent investigation.
“Parliament has a crucial role to play in ensuring accountability and transparency in this matter. By summoning responsible officials for hearings. Parliament must directly question those involved and demand explanations for their actions. Further. Parliament should utilize its oversight function to monitor the progress of investigations and ensure that they are conducted thoroughly and impartially.
“CSAT asserts that these allegations involve corruption, fraud, theft, and abuse of power. Therefore, we call upon the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to thoroughly investigate this matter. The ACB’s silence on this does not only undermine public confidence in the bureau but also raises serious questions about its independence.
“In conclusion, CSAT also requests the President to promptly appoint a Director General for the Anti-Corruption Bureau to ensure effective leadership and accountability at the bureau,” he said
