MINISTRY of Information and Media Permanent Secretary, Thabo Kawana has shed light on the scandal surrounding government’s procurement of hospital ambulances awarded to a company based in Lusaka’s Garden compound.
Kawana said Government was inclusive and gave opportunities to all citizens without discriminating against them even if they are based in compounds such as Garden.
The Permanent Secretary said this when he addressed the matter in response to the concern raised by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), to the effect that one of the companies contracted to supply half of the 156 ambulances under CDF is a pharmacy located in Lusaka’s Garden compound.
Kawana said judging a company negatively because of their location of operation is an insult to the dignity of the Zambian masses living or conducting businesses in compounds.
He therefore said government will distance itself from such an insult.
“First and foremost, we wish to place on record that, as Government, we do not look down on, or discriminate against, any of our citizens based on the compounds in which they live or conduct businesses,” Kawana said.
He added that it was disheartening that a tender to supply ambulances had been termed a scandal merely for being partially awarded to a company based in Garden compound, especially that Zambia Medicines & Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) was not looking for a company that could manufacture ambulances, but supply them.
Kawana said government will not be threatened by the fake stories and will continue providing opportunities to all citizens, regardless of where they live or conduct their lawful businesses from within the Republic.
“In actualising this commitment, Government last year issued the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) Circular No.1 of 2023, with a directive aimed at ensuring that procurement under the CDF empowers our citizens by giving preference to citizen bidders,” He added.
He said this decision was a practical response, by the Government, to the persistent calls by local suppliers for more business opportunities.
“We did this fully aware that some citizen bidders conduct businesses in compounds and villages,said Kawana.
The PS further said that government’s motivation is that the resources that local suppliers would derive from CDF tenders would, in one way or the other, help to develop infrastructure in those compounds and villages.
“For avoidance of doubt, the nation may wish to know that all CDF procuring entities have been directed by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) to adhere to the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) Circular No.1 of 2023,” said Kawana.
By Buumba Mwitumwa
Kalemba November 29, 2024
