Minister of Lands Sam Kawale has been appointed chairperson of a committee responsible for the implementation of Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP), it has been learnt.

Minister of Information and Digitisation Gospel Kazako said the leadership of the committee is rotational and the line minister does not necessarily have to be the chairperson.

At the helm of the committee: Kawale

He said: “There are several committees on several tasks. It is not a must that a line minister should be the chairperson.

“In the case of Energy Committee, for example, [Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs] honourable Sosten Gwengwe is the chairperson.

“Similarly, honourable Sam Kawale is the chair for AIP Committee and the Ministry of Agriculture is the head of the committee’s secretariat.”

Kazako, who is the official government spokesperson, was reacting to sentiments that the coming in of Kawale as the political lead on AIP could reflect a vote of no confidence by the President in Minister of Agriculture Lobin Lowe amid fears that implementation of the K109 billion worth AIP could be in jeopardy.

He said the AIP committee was only formed four weeks ago.

“It has nothing to do with confidence issues,” Kazako said.

The Office of President and Cabinet, which is responsible for appointment of leadership in such committees, was not available for comment.

The appointment comes at a time the implementation of the AIP in the 2022-23 growing season is uncertain, after government admitted to have made an upfront commitment fee amounting to K750 million to a United Kingdom (UK)-based firm for fertiliser supply.

The firm, after pocketing the funds, cancelled the deal and meanwhile government is seeking a refund.

The fertiliser deal between government and the UK firm has left tongues wagging. The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has since recorded a complaint on the matter while Government Contracting Unit (GCU) indicated that it will follow up with relevant authorities on the matter.

The ACB vets all public contracts but both institutions were bypassed.

Ministry of Agriculture, Smallholder Famers Fertiliser Revolving Fund of Malawi and Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority have not responded to our questionnaire submitted five days ago.

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