Air Botswana in P81 million illegal contract :: Mmegi Online

In yet another shocker relating to poor governance, the Parliamentary Committee on Statutory Bodies and Public Enterprises heard that Air Botswana entered a $7 million (P81 million) aircraft engine maintenance contract without board approval, contrary to Air Botswana Act. The case is almost similar to that of Botswana Tourism Organisation (BTO) where the Minister carried out board duties.

The committee on Tuesday learnt from Air Botswana acting general manager, Agnes Khunwane that shortly after Minister for Transport and Communications (MTC) Tshenolo Mabeo dissolved the board, his Permanent Secretary (PS) Neil Fitt approved a request to enter into a three-year contract with Pratt and Whitney Canada without open invitation for tender.

“After the board was dismissed, I was told by the PS that whatever has to go through board will be taken by the Ministry. We presented to a committee of three, being PS and his two deputies before it was approved,” she said. The board was dissolved on November 25 last year and a new one was appointed on February 15 this year.

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