The Mzuzu City Youth Caucus, a network of youth organizations in Mzuzu has written the Attorney General (AG) Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda on the Ministry of Education’s intention to award a colossal K8,745,713,361.71 contract to Paramount Holdings Limited, which has among its directors currently facing criminal charges for alleged corruption in government contracts.
This follows story that The Atlas published following a notice of intent, published by the ministry in The Daily Times on October 25, 2023, to award the contract to the company to construct a 5-storey Female Hostel Block and Associated Extemal Works at the prestigious Inkosi Ya Makhosi M’mbelwa University.
In a letter dated December 22, 2023 and signed by chairperson Gomezgani Nkhoma, the network describes the move as shocking.
“This move has shocked us and made us raise serious questions about governance and financial prudence, considering the fact that Paramount Holdings Limited has among its directors, people currently facing criminal charges for alleged corruption in government contracts.
“We would like to bring to your attention that in August this year, the Lilongwe Magistrate Court summoned three directors of Paramount Holdings Limited-Prakash Virji Ghedia, Arvindikumar Atiti Patel, and Surej Khimji Jagatiya.
“The charges brought against them surround the conspiracy to produce false documents and the utterance of a false document, indicating that Paramount Holdings is an authorized dealer of Yamaha Motorcycles in Malawi These significant criminal charges, raise red flags about the suitability of Paramount Holdings as a contractor for a government project of this magnitude.
“Your Office Honourable Attorney General disclosed in February 2023 that Paramount Holdings Limited was under investigation for document forgery related to motorcycle supply.
“The fact that Paramount Holdings has not been cleared of allegations related to procurement malpractices make us question if your office performed its duties professionally in following vetting and due diligence processes Honourable Attorney General you owe Northerners an explanation as to what is so special with Paramount Holdings Limited to carry out this project amid grave crimes its directors are answering in court.
“The Youth Caucus wishes to remind you that this is not the first time for Paramount Holdings Limited to be entangled in a crime web, this practice dates back from few years ago when Paramount Holdings, along with other companies, faced suspension by Capitol Hill over serious allegations of various procurement-related crimes.
“Mmbelwa University project is a pride of young people in the Northern region and if completed. will surely change the face of our loved region. This is why we have a keen interest in this mega. project knowing that a lot has already been wasted to corruption and other financial mismanagement. We will not allow any further comer cutting. With this, we are giving your office seven working days to respond to issues raised herein, if that is not done within the specified timeframe, we will seek the court’s intervention,” reads part of the letter
When contacted, Nkhoma confirmed writing the letter.
“Yes, we have written the Attorney General on the matter, I also called him and he confirmed receiving the same. We hope that he will clarify the matter very soon,” he said.
There was not immediate reaction from the office of the AG.
