Tag Archives: Marka-Bangula Railway project

Malawi, Politics

CR20′ Nsanje-Bangula Railway project under threat over regime change: Will APM political will sustain contractor, project?

MaraviPost

….It’s a question of political will now

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)-The Nsanje-Bangula Railway Project, currently being executed by CR20, a Chinese company, hangs precariously in the balance as the political landscape shifts.

With the incoming of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government, led by former leader and President-Elect Peter Mutharika, fears are growing that the project may be terminated.

This apprehension stems from the fact that the outgoing government, Malawi Congress Party (MCP), had previously facilitated the termination of Mota-Engel from the project in favor of CR20.

CR20 was favored with support from Vitumbiko Mumba, the company’s consultant who happened to be MCP member.

The project’s progress has been marred by delays and political tension, with senior MCP officials fueling the controversy.

However, the people of Nsanje and Chikwawa districts have spoken loud and clear, voting in protest favoring Mutharika in the last elections, with hopes that he would complete the railway project during his term.

Nsanje-Chikwawa communities believe that Mutharika’s leadership would prioritize development in the region, including the completion of critical infrastructure projects like the Nsanje-Bangula Railway.

The people of Nsanje and Chikwawa have entrusted Mutharika with their votes, expecting him to deliver on his promises.

Now, it’s up to him to ensure that the Nsanje-Bangula Railway Project is completed, unlocking the full potential of the region.

The question remains: will DPP maintain the project? Only time will tell.

Development, Malawi, Opinion

Of public projects missing deadlines in Malawi

Maravi Post Author

By Twink Jones Gadama

Projects play a crucial role in the economic and social development of a country. They provide opportunities for growth, employment, and infrastructure development, among other benefits.

In Malawi, a landlocked country in southeastern Africa, projects have had a significant impact on its progress and transformation.

Importance of Projects

Projects in Malawi are vital for several reasons. Firstly, they contribute to the development of infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals. These projects improve the quality of life for Malawians by ensuring better access to basic services and facilities.

Additionally, infrastructure development stimulates economic growth by facilitating trade, attracting investments, and creating jobs.

Projects also play a significant role in poverty reduction. They serve as a platform for income generation and entrepreneurship, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women and youth.

Small-scale projects and micro-enterprises can provide employment opportunities and improve livelihoods, lifting people out of poverty. Furthermore, projects focused on agriculture, education, and healthcare can enhance food security, increase literacy rates, and improve public health.

The Cost of Delays

Delays in project implementation can have severe consequences for both the economy and society. In Malawi, such delays often result from insufficient funding, bureaucratic red tape, inadequate project management, and a lack of skilled personnel. The cost of delays can be measured in financial terms, as well as social and environmental impacts.

Financially, delayed projects lead to cost overruns, where the initial budget is exceeded due to inflation, increased material prices, and extended contract periods. These overruns stretch the already limited resources, diverting funds from other important development initiatives.

Consequently, delayed projects hinder economic growth and perpetuate poverty by reducing the available resources for other vital sectors.

On a social level, delayed projects can have adverse effects on the well-being of communities. For example, a delayed school construction project means children are left without proper educational facilities, resulting in compromised learning opportunities.

Similarly, a delayed healthcare facility may deprive communities of access to essential medical services, leading to increased mortality rates and decreased overall health outcomes.

Rail Delayed Project

One notable example of a delayed project in Malawi is the rail infrastructure project. This project aimed to rehabilitate and expand the country’s rail network to enhance transportation, trade, and economic development. However, the project faced numerous delays and setbacks, including funding constraints, technical challenges, and inadequate project management.

The rail delayed project had a significant impact on Malawi’s economy. It hindered the efficient movement of goods and services, increased transportation costs, and limited the country’s competitiveness in regional and international markets.

Furthermore, the delays prevented the realization of potential economic benefits, such as increased trade, job creation, and improved livelihoods for communities along the rail network.

Suggestions

To address the challenges and improve project management in Malawi, several suggestions can be considered. Firstly, there is a need for enhanced coordination among government ministries, departments, and agencies involved in project implementation. This coordination will ensure efficient resource allocation, timely decision-making, and effective monitoring and evaluation.

Secondly, capacity-building initiatives should be prioritized to develop skilled project management professionals within the country. This can be achieved through training programs, collaborations with universities and institutions, and knowledge-sharing platforms.

Skilled personnel will bring efficiency, innovation, and effective project management practices to ensure timely and successful project implementation.

Moreover, it is crucial to address the issue of insufficient funding for projects in Malawi. The government should explore partnerships with international organizations, development banks, and private sector entities to secure additional financing. Additionally, mechanisms for public-private partnerships can be established to attract investments and share the financial burden of project implementation.

Feedback: Jonesgadama@gmail.com

Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are those of the author not necessarily The Maravi Post or The Editor

Development, Malawi

CMC happy with Transport Ministry’s transparency on Marka-Bangula Railway project contract award

Maravi Post Reporter 1 Comment

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s civil rights group under the banner Centre for Mindset Change (CMC) has lauded Ministry of Transport and Public works for being transparent in awarding China Railway 20 (CR20) contract to design, upgrade and rehabilitate the railway section between Marka and Bangula project.

This comes after Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) stopped Mota-Engil from the project for contractual fraud coupled with overpricing.

ACB therefore ordered re-adverting the project for new bidders excluding Mota-Engil which was awarded at the tune of MK48.2 billion.

Marka-Bangula Railway project

In a letter addressing to Transport Minister Jacob Hara, The Maravi Post has seen, CMC Executive Director Phillip Kamangirah is satisfied with the tendering process.

Kamangirah lauds the minister for acting swiftly over the fraud issues raised on the project that could cost taxpayers huge some of money.

He however disclosed that his grouping has rescinded decision of going to court to stop the re-tendering process and enforce re-evaluation as directed by ACB.

Kamangirah therefore appeals for disciplinary action against evaluation committee’s incompetency that awarded fraudulently Mota-Engil.

“Disciplinary Action against the Initial Evaluation Committee in one of our letters to your office and also to ACB, we asked for disciplinary action against the members of the evaluation committee that messed up the initial process. We would like to follow up on that.

“Secondly, we will be following up with ACB on how far they are because our understanding is that those responsible for mismanagement of the evaluation process have a case to answer. We believe the above interventions will deter other public officers from engaging in unethical practices when evaluating tenders,” reads in part CMC letter.

Once project is completed will connect Malawi to Mozambique through the 44 Kilometre Bangula-Nsanje railway line.

Below is the full CMC letter to Transport Ministry:

DESIGN, UPGRADING AND REHABILITATION OF THE RAILWAY SECTION BETWEEN MARKA AND BANGULA, CONTRACT NO. MTPW/IPDC/DORS/01/2020-2021 (Notice of Intention to Award).


Centre for Mindset Change (CMC) has been engaging, following and championing this project for the past year through various means including meeting you, we would like to express our gratitude to the Ministry of Transport and Public Works in the way you have handled the award of this project.

You have kept your word, and this gives us hope that it is no longer business as usual at the Ministry of Transport and Public Works (“MoTPW”).When we met you in January 2022, you assured us that you will not allow any underhand dealings during the retendering process as was the case with the previous process that was halted by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (“ACB”).

Your assurance made us rescind our decision of going to court to stop the retendering process and enforce re-evaluation as directed by ACB.

As an organization, we would like to highlight the following for your attention:

Integrity of the Retendering Process:
1. The whole retendering process has been managed without leakage of information and with much secrecy it deserved. This is contrary to the initial process that led to the Intention to Award the Contract to Mota-Engil which was cancelled by ACB.
2. The speed with which the retendering process has been done (1.5 months as opposed to the 11 months for the initial tender) is very impressive and if all government ministries and departments can borrow a leaf from this, Malawi will never be the same.

Position of the Citizens within the Project Implementation Area Upon seeing the Notice of the Intention to Award in the newspapers, Centre for Mindset Change (CMC) dispatched its team to Nsanje to engage the local communities.

So far, we have been informed that the communities are eagerly waiting for the contractor to start the work as soon as possible because the project is long overdue.

Our team had met Eight (8) senior local chiefs who expressed their gratitude to the government of Malawi through the Ministry of Transport and Public Works for the project.

We will continue engaging the locals in that area so that they should continue embracing the project and assist where needed.

Disciplinary Action against the Initial Evaluation Committee in one of our letters to your office and also to ACB, we asked for disciplinary action against the members of the evaluation committee that messed up the initial process. We would like to follow up on that.

Secondly, we will be following up with ACB on how far they are because our understanding is that those responsible for mismanagement of the evaluation process have a case to answer.

We believe the above interventions will deter other public officers from engaging in unethical practices when evaluating tenders.

Lastly, we would like to encourage your ministry to look into rehabilitation and construction of the whole railway from Bangula to Limbe.

In that way, the economic gains of this project can be maximized.
Yours Faithfully,Phillip Kamangirah, CMC’s Executive Director