Malawi : The defence and security forces de dlearn about public contracts

Ensuring national security while respecting transparency. This is the meaning of the training session offered to the Malawi Defence Forces in February 2024 by the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Authority. The training sessions aimed to equip members of the IPDC with the knowledge and skills to manage procurement and disposal issues within Malawi’s legal framework, particularly taking into account the unique sensitivity of the MDF’s procurement activities.

On 7 February 2024, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority implemented a demand driven training by the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) to build the capacity of the MDF’s Internal Procurement and Disposal Committees (IPDCs). This initiative represents a crucial step towards enhancing transparency, efficiency, and accountability within the MDF’s procurement processes.

The training sessions, aimed to equip IPDC members with the requisite knowledge and skills to navigate manage public procurement and disposal matters within Malawi’s legal framework including addressing the unique sensitivity of MDF’s procurement activities. In this speech Director General of the PPDA, Dr. Edington Chilapondwa said that ensuring national security while upholding transparency is paramount, consequently, the MDF’s proactiveness to request of the training is highly commendable. «The MDF’s procurement activities are inherently sensitive, given the crucial role they play in safeguarding our nation. However, adherence to established processes and procedures within Malawi’s legal framework is non-negotiable» he said.

The training emphasized adherence to established processes and procedures while upholding the highest standards of integrity. The Director General of the PPDA further underscored the pivotal role of procurement professionals in steering the MDF’s procurement endeavors. He highlighted the importance of leveraging individuals with specialized procurement training among the high-ranking officers to ensure effective procurement management. «We understand the hierarchy that MDF follows, but it is our desire that among the high-ranking officers, those with procurement training should be allowed to handle procurement,» remarked Director General Chilapondwa.

Moreover, Director General Chilapondwa expressed his satisfaction upon noting that Deputy Commander Maritime, Brigadier General Mwase serves as the Chairperson of the IPDC. «This strategic alignment underscores the commitment of MDF’s leadership to prioritize procurement excellence and compliance. I must say this is very impressive. Most public institutions leave the procurement functions to lowly ranking officer, it is an anomaly» he concluded.

The PPDA remains committed to supporting the MDF in its pursuit of procurement excellence, ensuring that procurement processes align with best practices and serve the public interest.