Oxfam urges cooperation in maizegate probe

Oxfam, a United Kingdom charity, has called on stakeholders who have information on the alleged corrupt practices in the purchase of maize by Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) from Zambia to desist from hiding it.

In a statement made available to The Nation, Oxfam says the country is currently responding to the worst ever humanitarian situation.

The statement stresses that institutions such as Admarc are meant to promote the common good of the society by making it possible for all people to achieve their full potential.

“Decisions and actions, policies and programmes of such institutions should not under any circumstances be allowed to be reduced to mere conduits of corrupt practices, expensive relics of the unhealthy collusion among less-than-patriotic individuals,” reads part of the statement.

Oxfam further emphasises the fact that proper legal frameworks should be put in place for the benefit of the citizenry.

“The food and nutritional security legal framework should urgently be put in place to provide checks and balances in order to protect the right to food for all Malawians,” the statement reads.

The statement also says Oxfam is eager to ensure that the matter involving Admarc’s purchase of maize from Zambia is pursued to its logical conclusion and that those involved in the allegations are brought to book.

The matter has attracted mixed views with different stakeholders engaging in different inquiries to establish the truth.

So far, President Peter Mutharika has set up a commission of inquiry led by retired Chief Justice Anastazia Msosa to probe the maize deal.

Meanwhile, Parliament has set up a committee to probe the alleged scam.

The committee has this week met stakeholders such as Admarc, Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Development and Malawi Revenue Authority.  n