Macra board rejected ‘spy machine’ price

Tree board members of the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) yesterday confided in The Nation that the board last week rejected the cost of upgrading the Consolidated ICT Regulatory Management (Cirms) widely known as the ‘spy machine’ because it was unreasonable.

The board members separately confirmed to The Nation about the development following publication of a story where information and communication technology (ICT) experts questioned the higher cost of upgrading Cirms compared to the buying price.

Macra bought the system from Agilis International Inc of United States of America in 2010 at $6 142 608 (about K2.8 billion) to improve regulatory monitoring functions in four key areas of quality of service, revenue assurance, fraud management and spectrum allocation and management.

However, the machine could not be used since its purchase as Macra faced resistance, including court battles, with operators and some concerned citizens on the one hand.

In the wake of a court ruling in its favour, Macra re-engaged the supplier, Agilis International Inc, who recommended the upgrading of the Cirms’ hardware and software due to technical advancement. The supplier revised the contract price from $6 142 608 to $13 871 969 (about K6.2 billion), meaning that Macra will have to pay an extra $7 729 361 (about K3.4 billion), according to a report

Macra deputy director general Francis Bisika yesterday confirmed that board members expressed reservations during the meeting. However, he said they changed their mind after an explanation.

However, the three board members The Nation spoke to maintained the board  rejected the upgrading price of the machine after being briefed on the development.

The board members added that Macra was warned that the price increase for mere upgrading was dangerous as it would sway the public opinion against government considering the economic challenges the country is facing.

Another board member dismissed Bisika’s claim that the board changed its  mind, saying the decision was bulldozed.

Said the board member: “The issue was just bulldozed because it seems some people have personal interests.”

Meanwhile, Macra has prepared the contract documents for the new machine and has sent them to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs for vetting, according to Bisika.