Tue, 27 Jun 2017 14:17:17 +0000
By SIMON MUNTEMBA
DISGRUNTLED individuals like Joseph Kolosa should know that one does not need to be a ruling Patriotic Front (PF) member to get a government contract, says Eastern Province Permanent Secretary (PS) Chanda Kasolo.
In an interview with the Daily Nation, Mr Kasolo said any Zambian with a best-evaluated tender was eligible to be awarded a contract adding that there was a great danger when government was seen to be a preserve of certain political players.
He said regardless of the regional, tribal, colour or political affiliation, it was always important for civil servants and government to represent all the people and offer equal opportunities for them.
Mr Kasolo’s statement comes after PF Eastern Province Secretary, Joseph Koloso said he (Kasolo), his deputy, Patrick Mwanawasa and Chipata District Commissioner, Kalunga Zulu should be removed from their offices for frustrating the party for allegedly supporting known contractors who it says were not in good standing with the party.
The PS who said he would not bow down to any political pressure from any selfish individuals, reminded the PF officials in the Province that President Lungu was a highly pragmatic and visionary leader who does not tolerate lawlessness.
“Our President, Edgar Chagwa Lungu is a Lawyer who respects the law. It does not matter whether you are an official in the Patriotic Front, once you break the law, the Police will be more than ready to apply the law.
“So we expect PF members to adhere to the laid down procedures and rule when acquiring government contracts to avoid lawlessness because the long arm of the law would catch up with them.
“Chagwa (President) has always advised us to follow the law when executing our duties; he always says the law is law and you must follow it for you to be safe. And I am always following the law,” said Mr Kasolo. Mr Kasolo said, it was therefore, imperative for members of the ruling party to be the shining example in upholding the law. He further stated that he was not mandated to single-handedly award government contracts to individuals.
“As a PS, I usually chair some department’s management board meetings which consists of executive members (other civil servants in the department) and non-executive directors and that it is not possible for me to single-handedly award government contracts to individuals.
“The fact is that, you don’t have to be a PF member to get a government contract, any Zambian can get a tender so long it is a best-evaluated tender.
“Technocrats in the construction, engineers, e.tc are the ones choosing who to be awarded a contract. In short, it is the technical team which looks at all those things like, tax compliance, experience, the capability and capacity of the contractor,” he explained.
He charged that it was the people like Mr Kolosa that were de-campaigning the ruling party by insinuating that only PF members are supposed to be given Government tenders which is not the case. The PS, however, noted that as far as he was concerned, he enjoyed a sound working relationship with the party District Executive and did not understand the allegations leveled by the provincial executive committee.
He said he was happy to be part and parcel of the progress going on in the province and hoped that his little contribution in the region in as far as development is concerned would be sustained.
The PS further called for continued professionalism, collaboration and hard work among civil servants in order to enhance service delivery.
