Malawi Citizens Oppose Passport Contract Extension

The Concerned Citizens of Malawi movement has criticized the government’s decision to extend a passport issuance contract with E-Technologies.

The advocacy group expressed its concerns in a letter to the Office of the President and Cabinet, urging a review of the extension.

The contract, originally set for six months, was extended for an additional three months.

However, this move has drawn criticism from the citizens’ movement, which believes the extension reflects poor leadership and disregard for public concerns.

In their statement, the movement emphasized previous warnings regarding the deal. They highlighted issues related to transparency, high service costs, and ongoing inefficiencies under the current passport provider.

The movement insists that the government’s decision was made without proper consultation with relevant stakeholders. They argue that more inclusive discussions could have addressed the pressing problems related to passport printing and issuance.

“By extending the contract without proper consultations, the government has failed to consider alternative solutions to these challenges,” part of the statement reads.

The movement has called for the immediate cancellation of the contract extension. They believe that reverting the decision is necessary to restore public confidence and address the critical issues at hand.

As of now, the government has yet to respond to the concerns raised by the movement. Many are awaiting a formal statement to clarify the reasoning behind the extension.

Public reaction remains divided, but the debate has sparked conversations about the transparency and efficiency of government contracts.