Procurement body deregisters 43 officers

 The Malawi Institute of Procurement and Supply (Mips) has deregistered 43 of its members for not renewing their membership.

The institute, established under an Act of Parliament, announced the decision on April 22 2024 through the members’ e-mail addresses as well as official Mips WhatsApp group.

When contacted, Mips chief executive officer Feston Kaupa said he would get back to Weekend Nation later, but he had not done so as we went to press.

The list shows that 19 of the 43 deregistered members work or last worked for public institutions, 14 work or last worked for private organisations while 10 others have unspecified work places.

“The list also serves as a reminder and a guide to all members, organisations, employment agencies and other stakeholders for referencing in matters relating to engagement of practitioners as current and potential employees or consultants in procurement and supply,” reads the notice.

According to Section 47(2)(a)(b)(c) of the Malawi Institute of Procurement and Supply Act, any person found engaging or purports to engage the services of a deregistered member in procurement and supply functions shall be liable to a fine of K500 000.00 and two years imprisonment.

Further, the Mips Act and Regulations state that any employer found engaging the services of the deregistered members in procurement and supply functions shall be liable to a fine of K2 million.

Some of the ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) mentioned by Mips are Ministry of Health, Malawi Revenue Authority, Reserve Bank of Malawi, Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority, Dowa District Council, Central Government Stores, Department of Energy, Admarc and Airports Development Limited.

Those deregistered are in the categories of full, affiliate and student whose annual membership subscription fee is K150 000, K240 000 and K35 000, respectively.

Secretary for Health Dr Samson Mndolo told Weekend Nation that while he could not comment on the issue, practitioners must adhere to prescribed regulations.

On his part, Admarc chief executive officer Daniel Makata said he had not seen the list “so I won’t be able to comment”.

But in a separate interview, procurement, logistics and supply chain management specialist Aitonie Chandiyang’ana said, the law bars the 43 from practising as supply chain officers until they pay their subscription fees.

He said procurement specialists are critical as research has shown that almost 70 percent of government budget goes through procurement.

“All those that are practising should be bona fide registered members of Mips, which is mandatory for procurement and supply chain management professionals.

“As such, there is need to have specialists that are very are able to conduct procurement process in strict compliance of the law. Public procurement is highly-regulated and it is time only those that have the requisite qualifications and experience are handling these issues,” said Chandiyang’ana, who works for National Aids Commission