Construction
NCIC launches corruption prevention policy
October 04, 2021 / Wahard Betha
The National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) has launched a five-year fraud and corruption prevention policy to ensure a corrupt-free working environment within the council and the construction industry In Malawi.
Speaking during the launch of the policy in Lilongwe, NCIC Acting CEO Engineer Gerald Khonje said the policy has been developed to ensure that any form of fraud and corruption is not condoned in Malawi’s construction industry.
Khonje said the council is committed to investigate and accordingly deal with all suspected fraudulent and corrupt activities.
The policy will apply to all fraud and corrupt practices and to any suspected breaches involving the NCIC board; Management and staff members; persons engaged in the construction industry; service providers and; any other stakeholders who directly or indirectly transact with the Council.
Khonje said: “Indeed, the effects of corruption are rampant, and the country has witnessed in the past years serious cases such as the famous cash-gate scandal that led to the plunder of huge public money.”
“These practices have led to serious negative effects on national development and the council together with the entire construction industry is not exempted from the same.”
“The council realizes that its operations and that of the industry are susceptible to fraudulent and corrupt practices.”
“These practices have the potential to cause significant financial and non-financial harm. Therefore, the prevention and control of these practices should feature predominantly within the systems and procedures of the council and that of the industry.”
Khonje also stressed that the fraud and corruption prevention policy will prioritize areas of fraud and corruption prevention system; and internal control systems.
On fraud and corruption prevention system, the policy will focus on development and implementation of an effective fraud and corruption detective and correction system in the council.
While in internal control systems, the policy will spearhead adherence and enforcement of other policies that guild the council including; registration procedures, financial policies and procedures, codes of conduct, staff terms and conditions of service regulation and monitoring and; enforcement procedures.
He said: “So this policy will enhance transparency and accountability. You may be aware that we were also running that initiative in the construction industry that enhances disclosure of material project information about projects that are being implemented within the country.”
“With that accountability, duty bearers will be able to be held accountable by the citizenry because the citizenry will be empowered through sensitization as to what they should expect from the industry and how projects are expected to run.”
In her remarks, Deputy Minister of Transport Nancy Chaola Mdooko hailed the launch of the policy describing it as a catalyst towards eradicating fraud and corrupt activities in the industry as some citizens will be kept aware of what is bad in the system.
Mdooko said that the construction industry is one of the fertile industries that contributes towards boosting the country’s economy and, that keeping it a fraud and corrupt free-zone will rescue the country’s grappled economy.
“I am calling every citizen to take part in reporting any fraud and corrupt practices to ensure that the malpractice is prevented. On top of that I urge NCIC board to abide and live by the commitments and policies so that this policy should also be implemented on the ground not only on paper,” said Mdooko.
She appealed for more intervention and coordination amongst various stakeholders in the construction industry in developing the sector in order to meet the country’s the Malawi 2063 agenda.
Apart from the fraud and corruption prevention policy, NCIC also launched other two documents; disability policy to promote the contribution of men and women with disabilities in the country’s construction industry; and client service charter with a goal of developing an internationally competitive construction industry that positively responds to industry demands and technological advancement in provision of quality infrastructure products and services.
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