Transporters Association of Malawi (TAM) plans to stage nationwide demonstrations next Monday, following unresolved issues that the association has with the government.
According to the association’s chairperson Lyton Zombe, government promised to increase transportation rates but that has not been acted on, adding that government awards more transportation contracts to foreigners than locals. With these grievances, TAM plans to march on Monday.
In 2017, lawmakers passed an insertion to the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act, which stated that 60% of Government’s procurement needs must be from black indigenous Malawians. Following the law, which is said to be violated since its inception, the Director General of Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) has addressed the matter in a circular sent to heads of various parastatals and other public institutions.
In February last year, the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority (PPDA) appointed authorities to drive the board in action. To properly enforce the law, the Directors of the body has appointed several board members, posts including the Chief Secretary, Secretary to the Treasury and the Solicitor General.