Malawi Freedom Network 
By Malawi Freedom Network News Desk
9 October 2026
Political social commentator and activist Suleman Chitera has questioned why the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) would spend nearly K3 billion on 100 tarpaulins instead of exploring direct purchasing options that could potentially offer better value for taxpayers.
Chitera’s questions follow the Anti-Corruption Bureau’s intervention in ADMARC’s proposed tarpaulin procurement contract, reportedly valued at approximately K2.97 billion.
The proposed expenditure works out at nearly K29.67 million per tarpaulin, raising questions about the pricing, procurement process and whether ADMARC adequately assessed alternative suppliers before proceeding with the proposed deal.
At the centre of Chitera’s concern is a fundamental public-accountability question: Why can’t ADMARC source the tarpaulins directly from manufacturers or wholesalers, provided it follows the applicable procurement rules, rather than relying on an intermediary?
The question does not, by itself, establish that the procurement was improper. However, given the scale of the proposed expenditure, ADMARC should be able to explain how the price was determined, what specifications the tarpaulins must meet and how the selected procurement arrangement represents value for money.
For Chitera, the issue is bigger than the purchase of tarpaulins. It concerns transparency in public institutions, responsible management of public resources and the obligation to demonstrate that major expenditures serve the public interest.
The ACB investigation should establish the relevant facts, while ADMARC should provide a clear explanation of the procurement decisions and cost calculations behind the proposed contract.
The central question remains: Could ADMARC obtain the same quality of tarpaulins at a lower total cost through direct sourcing, and what evidence supports the proposed K3 billion expenditure?
This is the accountability question Chitera is putting before ADMARC and the wider public.
