Creck Hardware has dismissed as false the allegations published by Malawi Cables. However, a mere denial is insufficient. The company is urged to respond to these claims with verifiable facts and supporting documentation.
Specifically, Creck Hardware should address the following issues:
- Award of a Multi-Billion Kwacha Contract
Creck Hardware should clearly deny or confirm that it was awarded a multi-billion kwacha contract by the Central Region Water Board (CRWB) for the supply of prepaid water meters after a government stop order had been issued.
If a waiver was granted by the government allowing the procurement to proceed, either Creck Hardware or CRWB should publicly produce that waiver.
- Contract Signing Date
Creck Hardware should publish the contract signing page between itself and CRWB. This will allow the public to verify the signing date and compare it with the date on which the government stop order was issued. - Timing of Contract Evaluation
It is understood that the evaluation of the contract was conducted approximately one week before the government issued the stop order. This fact should be clarified and supported with official records. - Intention to Award Notice
In line with legal procurement requirements, Creck Hardware should produce the “Notice of Intention to Award” that is supposed to be published in local newspapers. It is alleged that CRWB bypassed this mandatory process. - Alleged China Trips for Pre-Inspection
Creck Hardware should also clearly deny or confirm allegations that it financed travel to China for CRWB officials for pre-inspection purposes.
The CRWB employees allegedly flown to China by Creck Hardware are:
• Phillip Kaingo
• Jeremiah Phiri
• Tiyamike Gulumba
• Agatha Chimbayo
• Edmond Kungwalo
• Simeon Banda
Creck Hardware is further urged to respond to allegations surrounding the evaluation process, where it is claimed that all other bidders were disqualified at the preliminary stage. Under standard procurement principles, such circumstances would ordinarily result in the bid being rendered void.
However, it is alleged that the former CRWB Chief Executive Officer advised the evaluation committee to proceed, citing that Creck Hardware was a major sponsor of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP).
Creck Hardware should address these matters comprehensively and transparently in its public statement to allow Malawians to make informed judgments based on facts.
Cables has more than what CRECK HARDWARE thinks we don’t know .