By REGINALD KANYANE
14 December2024 – The Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure said it is deeply concerned about the lack of communication between the Minister of the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and the Independent Development Trust (IDT).
This has become apparent in the Minister’s meeting with the committee on 27 November 2024 and in recent media reports alleging the involvement of the IDT in the tender process to install PSA Oxygen Plants at 55 public hospitals.
The Chairperson of Committee, Carol Phiri said the Minister informed the committee on 27 November about the alleged irregularities involving the installation of the PSA Oxygen tanks at public hospitals. Phiri said these allegations were subsequently reported in the media, including electronic media.
“Unfortunately, most reports and comments lacked substance and material evidence about the alleged irregularities. As the executive authority leading the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure, the Minister has substantial power that includes calling on the boards of entities and boards of Trustees to fully report to him on any matter.
“Since his appointment, the Minister has not met with the IDT. This seems to be at the heart of the narrative that the IDT, its Board, and its officials acted irregularly in the tendering process,” she said.
Phiri further said, if material evidence shows culpability on their part, however, this committee will call for legal actions against the entity. She added that, currently, it remains to search for what lies behind this narrative.
“In order to ensure the veracity of the information, we had a meeting with IDT on 12 December 2024, to get information from the entity on the allegations made by Daily Maverick.
“What has come to light is that the appointment of the service providers was undertaken based on the concurrence and budget confirmation received from the national Department of Health (DOH) and the funder of the project, the Global Fund (GF),” said Phiri.
She said a phased approach which includes the maintenance period was approved by both the DoH and the GF. According to Phiri, furthermore, the GF Country Team, after satisfying themselves with the processes undertaken, approved that the IDT could commence with the installation of the PSA Oxygen tanks in the form of a “No Objection Letter.”
“Despite this important information being accessible from the IDT, the allegations seemed to have been stretched into the domain of the IDT as the implementing agent of the DoH.
“This is a serious matter as it continues to erode the integrity of the IDT, its Board, and its officials. It is unfortunately also hurting the DPWI. The committee will soon request the IDT to formally report to it and put on record a sequence of events leading to the appointment of the service providers,” she said.
Phiri said: “I urge the public to allow law enforcement agencies to do their work as there is an ongoing investigation by the Hawks on this matter.
“The committee commends the Minister of Health for his media statement particularly radio interviews where he continuously urged the media not to speculate and put the IDT and the HoD through the court of public opinion, but to allow the investigations to unfold.”
The Guardian 