Posted on July, 18, 2018 at 08:50 am
Written by Fostina Mkandawire
AHL Commodities Exchange (AHCX) says it is ready to start procuring maize for delivery into the country’s Strategic Grain Reserves (SGR).
In an interview with Malawi News Agency (MANA) on Monday, Research and Communications Manager for AHCX, Mark Ndipita, said preparations have been completed for the exercise.
He said, “AHCX is prepared. All is set and we have finalized all ground work and we are just waiting for a go-ahead from National Food Reserve Agency who are finalizing sorting logistical issues on the storage facilities. Once communicated, AHCX is ready to start procuring the maize.”
AHCX has been contracted by the National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) to procure 32,000 metric tonnes of white non-GMO maize.
Ndipita added that the maize will be procured from both smallholder farmers and traders at a fixed price of K150 per kg, including withholding tax.
According to Ndipita, traders can now start submitting written expressions of interest to AHCX to supply a minimum of 30 metric tonnes and a maximum of 500 metric tonnes.
Ndipita further said AHCX has put in place mechanisms to ensure that there is independence, fairness, accountability and objectivity in the procurement of maize for the Strategic Grain Reserves.
He said, “AHCX has engaged the services of an Independent Procurement Committee (IPC) comprising various strategic stakeholders among them, Anti Corruption Bureau for the oversight role, CISANET, private sector representative and an independent audit firm to evaluate all submissions and recommend award of contracts.”
Ndipita said AHCX is prepared to implement an efficient payment system that guarantees timely payments to suppliers.
“Payments for all delivered maize will be made within five working days after delivery through their registered bank accounts,” said Ndipita.
He said AHCX is a transparent, fair and efficient market platform and that it remains committed to preventing any form of malpractices in the process of procuring the maize.
“The Exchange has put in place various surveillance and reporting systems to curb any attempts of corruption by any stakeholder. We are encouraging the general public to utilize our Tip-Offs Anonymous service,” he appealed.
Source: Malawi News Agency (MANA Online)