By Moses Nyirenda
Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN) has stressed out the need to promote open contracting agenda in the public projects contracting process in the country, saying that it is a key to avert corruption in public sector procurement system.
Speaking on the sidelines of the Open Contracting Multi-Stakeholder Group (OC-MSG) meeting which was held in Lilongwe Monday, MEJN Executive Director, Grace Kumchulesi said that, her organization is striving to promote open contracting as it regrets its importance.
“As an organization, we are geared to promote open contracting agenda since we are quite aware that it promotes transparency and accountability in the awarding of contracts concerning public projects,” she pointed out
Kumchulesi added that open contracting fosters positive impact towards implementation of developments of the country saying that it enhances proper use of public resources, particularly in the purchasing of goods and services for public project.
MEJN is working with HIVOS in promoting the open contracting plan, According to the result of the study which was conducted in 2018 by HIVOS revealed that large proportional of government budget goes to contracting.
The Executive Director is optimistic that open contracting would help to reduce cases of corruption in the implementation of government projects.
“I am confident that our open contracting agenda will foster transparency and accountability in the management of resources for government projects especially in the construction of infrastructure such as; roads, schools and provision of health services,” she said.
According to Kumchulesi, MEJN would use OC-MS to facilitate and support ongoing dialogue among government, private sector and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on open contracting in order to achieve its objectives
She said that MEJN would engage media to play a role of investigating issues and creating awareness patterning open contracting.
Malawi Human Rights Youth Network National Director, Leon Matanda commended MEJN for promoting open contracting saying that, the initiative would help the public including youth to have access to public contracting information.-MANA