ESCOM Cancels K675m Demolition Contract

ESCOM has cancelled contract of 675 million kwacha to demolish its building that was burnt by fire many years ago in Blantyre.

Chief Executive officer of ESCOM Allexon Chiwaya says the cancellation follows the concerns raised by some members of the general public on the contract.

Chiwaya says section 46b of the public procurement and disposal of assets Act provides for the cancellation of procurement proceedings in the public interest.

He also says the concerns raised are being addressed and ESCOM followed all procurement processes to ensure transparency and accountability as required by the Act.

Chiwaya has disclosed that 14 companies bought the bidding document after an advert for international competitive bid was issued on 26th July 2018.

However, out of them only 5 submitted their offers.

Two days before the cancellation Human Rights Defenders Coalition HRDC demanded suspension of 675 million kwacha contract to demolish ESCOM building in Blantyre that was gutted by fire years ago.

HRDC suspects that there is corruption in the award of the contract.

Lawyer of HRDC Wesley Mwafulirwa says the coalition has noticed some anomalies in the contract such as the figure being exorbitant and unjustifiable and that the company irrigwater and mining equipment did not bid.

Mwafulirwa has asked chief executive officer of ESCOM to respond by 29 April otherwise they will take the matter to court.