Number plates storm rages on

The issue of new number plates for vehicles in Malawi refuses to die.

Rejected firms in a deal to distribute number plates are questioning government’s decision to continue with the process in spite suspending registration of motor vehicles.

A source from one of the firms said on Wednesday that he suspected foul play in the entire awarding process of the tender and that interested suppliers may have been left out in favour of Movesa, the sole distributors.

But Road Traffic Directorate (RTD) director Jack Manong’a defended Movesa on Thursday, saying it has always supplied number plates since 1999 and that he did not see why the issue should be raised now.

Said Manong’a: “The harmonisation process that led to the suspension of the registration was meant to standardise samples from different parts of the world as were being brought by interested participants. While regulations remain open on who can distribute, suppliers have to go through a process.”

He is on record to have said that Movesa was the only company that fully complied with regulations as it met standards and given a certificate.

Manong’a accused the other applicants in possession of MBS certification (but was later withdrawn) of fraudulently acquiring the documents.

A letter dated March 26 2012 seen by Weekend Nation to a rejected applicant shows that the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) suspended registration of vehicles to allow for the harmonisation process.

Signed by deputy director general Willy Muliya, the letter reads: “We would like to inform you that MBS is currently working with RTD and other stakeholders to harmonise the Malawi Standard, MS 639, with the Road Traffic Regulations to align it with international standards.

“In view of the above, the MBS and the RTD have suspended all registrations and assessments of new motor vehicle number plates forthwith until the harmonisation process is through and the standard is ready to use.”

Government introduced the new plates bearing the national flag, MBS label, virtual security thread, expiry date, serial number, hologram, barcodes sticker and the actual number.

Minister of Transport and Public Works Sidik Mia announced in June the extension of the deadline to August 31 2012 following Parliament’s decision to revert to the old rising sun flag.