Charles Kufa on 10 December, 2007 13:34:00

Malawi government seized operations of one of the country's iconic tourism operation situated in the northern region – Nyika/Vwaza Ecotourism – a subject of a protracted corruption investigation after former tourism minister Patricia Kaliati offered the concession to the royals of Abu Dhabi in United Arab Emirates through an intermediary based at Mafia Islands in Tanzania.

Sources at the Ministry of Tourism have confided that current minister Callista Chapola-Chimombo (pictured) authorized the seizure of all operations from Nyika Safari Company Ltd which has run the business at Nyika National Park and Vwaza Game Reserve for almost 15 years.

"The minister ordered that there should not be any further extension on the concession even though the outcome of the tender process has been announced. So we had to seize their operations from November 1 when the five months extension came to an end," said an official at the Ministry who cannot be named.

Managing Director of Nyika Safari Company, David Foot, has confirmed that he is no longer running the business following the expiration extension granted on May 31, 2007 while the ministry was still adjudicating the bids which closed and opened at 2 pm on June 22, 2007.

"Since 1 November the Department of National Parks is managing the facility whilst awaiting a decision about the concession," Foot said in an interview.

The backward development has irked international tour operators who sell Malawi to the international audience with some operators expressing concern that lack commitment from the government is hampering growth and development of the industry.

Chimombo – recently appointed herself tourism ambassador for the Robert Mugabe country promising to sell Zimbabwe wherever she went - says government recognizes tourism as one of the sectors vital for economic growth and reaffirms commitment in creating conducive environment for those interested in tourism industry.

"Tourism industry contributes 1.1 per cent to the countries growth domestic product GDP while in Tanzania the contribution is 28 percent yet we have all similar resources," Chimombo told the Travel Agents Association of Malawi (TAAM) recently.

"The culture of travel industry is becoming dynamic with new technologies around. You need to update yourselves on how you can stand up to the challenges posed by innovations like electronic ticketing as well as dealing with well informed clients."

Minister Chimombo could not answer any questions from Nyasa Times on the matter when contacted.

President Bingu wa Mutharika of the "zero-tolerance" of corruption fame recently announced that Kaliati is under probe but is failing to act after sacked Acting Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau had reported to him that the minister has a case to answer.

The tourism internal procurement committee (IPC) comprises of Mr George Mwale -Director of Finance and Administration in Ministry of Tourism as chairman; Mr Clement Mbotha - Deputy Director of Department of National Parks and Wildlife; Mr Mwakelero -Environmental Affairs; Mr Victor Mponda - Malawi Investment Promotion Agency; Mr Isaac Katopola - Deputy Director, Department of Tourism; Mrs Custom Nyirenda - Forestry, and Mr Lipya, Department of National Parks and Wildlife as secretary.

The IPC failure to come up with a winner has complicated matters as most tourists who had booked to visit Nyika/Vwaza are cancelling their booking due to the uncertainty.

http://www.nyasatimes.com/index.php?news=1726