K105m Greenbelt air tickets raise eyebrows
Greenbelt Authority (GBA) has come under fire for a K105 million air tickets invoice for its six officers and Minister of Agriculture Lobin Lowe for a working trip to Wuhan in China.
In a leaked invoice dated June 28 2022, Ethiopian Airlines pegged each of the officers’ economy class ticket at K13.6 million while a business class ticket for the minister is at nearly K23.8 million.
The invoice reads in part: “The cost of an air ticket from Lilongwe to Wuhan via Addis Ababa and Guangzhou on Ethiopia Airlines; Fare: K23 786 833.00 business class [one person].
“K13 678 561.00 per economy class [for six passengers]. Total for seven passengers: K105 858 199.00. Please note that the fares are subject to change any time without notice.”
Ironically, President Lazarus Chakwera’s austerity measures unveiled early last month stop public officers from travelling business class.
The Nation search through air ticket price websites such as www.nusatrip.com showed that each economy class ticket from Lilongwe to Wuhan ranges from $5 000 about K6 million to $6 000 about K7 million.
In an interview at the weekend, GBA chief executive officer Eric Chidzungu, who was mentioned in the communication as part of the trip, confirmed the authenticity of the invoice.
However, he said no payment had been authorised for the air tickets, pointing out that the invoice was part of the procurement process.
Chidzungu said: “What happened is that we asked for invoices from Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and South African Airways. That is a normal procurement procedure.
“Thereafter, we would assess which one suits our budget. Unfortunately, the invoice leaked when we had not received the other invoices and made any decision.”
On the intention to book the minister on business class amid austerity measures, he stated that it was an anomaly.
“I think the airliners are used that whenever there is a minister on the trip, he is booked in business class. So, I suspect that is how they invoiced us that ticket,” Chidzungu said.
He said the trip, whose delegation includes GBA chairperson Wester Kosamu and some engineers, seeks to inspect a K800 million rice milling plant for the Nthola-Ilola Rice Irrigation Scheme in Karonga District.
The scheme, according to Chidzungu, aims at developing efficient irrigation infrastructure for at least 1 000 hectares and an agro-processing plant and increasing coordination throughout the rice value chain.
The GBA team said it was expected to fly out this Friday for the eight-day tour.
Meanwhile, Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency executive director Willy Kambwandira, in an interview, said the invoice raises suspicions.
“The figures appear unrealistic and raise suspicion of fraud. This has to be investigated. We also demand proper sanctions against officers who authorised this trip,” he said.
Ethiopian Airlines officials could not be reached as their office telephone went unanswered on several attempts.
