The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has issued a restriction order restricting the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) from dealing with fuel procurement processes towards award of contract.

“Pursuant to its powers under section 23(1) of the Corrupt Practices Act, on 8th June 2021, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) issued a restriction notice to NOCMA on a contract to supply fuel under procurement number NOCMA/ICB/FUEL/2020/2021,” reads the statement in part signed by ACB Principal Public Relations Officer Egrita Ndala.

The graft-bursting body said the decision has been arrived at amid several complaints on fuel procurement processes by NOCMA.

“This follows several complaints received by the ACB alleging irregularities and suspected corruption surrounding the fuel procurement process.

“The ACB has instituted investigations into the matter,” further reads the communique.

Following the restriction notice, ACB says NOCMA is therefore restricted from awarding the
contract until the graft-bursting body has concluded the investigation or lifted the restriction notice.

Recently, during a news conference in Lilongwe, the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI) established that greed is at the center of it all arguing that the fuel supply saga is as a result of the in-fighting among the Tonse Alliance Partners.

CDEDI Executive Director Sylvester Namiwa said the Tonse Alliance individuals are trying so hard to outclass each other in order to claim hefty commissions from the selected suppliers.

He observed that NOCMA is clearly violating the law by publishing the intention to award contracts for fuel supplies in the press, without disclosing the prices of the bids, as per the requirement of the law.