KARONGA-(MaraviPost)-A group of constructors in Karonga has expressed worry over the secret award of contracts at the district council done by some top officers.
In their recent letter they wrote to the District Commissioner (DC) signed by their chairperson Matani Msowoya, the group disclosed number of the roads that were dubiously awarded to some contractors for rehabilitation without bidding.
According to the group which has threatened to hold demonstrations, corruption has crippled the whole process of awarding contracts at the council.
“Number of the roads have been awarded without bidding. Apart from that, bidding procedures are not followed. We know this is a deliberate move by some officials who are very corrupt,” they said.
However, Karonga DC Paul Kalilombe while confirming to have received such complaints from a group of constructors, described it as fake.
Speaking in a telephone interview, Kalilombe said those spreading the news are a group of disgruntled and jealous constructors whose their companies were rejected because they had fake license.
Kalilombe further said that the council has already reported the matter to the authorities for investigation.
“I am aware about that but that is a total lie. These are disgruntled constructors. Don’t trust their say,” he said.
However, this publication has established that some contracts were being awarded in a suspicious manner.
For example, a multimillion 5.5 kilometer road from MBC office via John Derby to Karonga community ground was not on the bid but it has been awarded to a certain contractor.
Despite DC Kalilombe said that the construction of the road in question is the extension of the work to the responsible company, the irate constructors said it is lie.
Meanwhile, some concern community have asked the ministry of local government to intervene the matter.
