GOVERNMENT SHOULD STRENGTHEN CONTROLS IN PROCUREMENT

Sat, 04 Nov 2017 09:54:44 +0000

Dear Editor,

The spirit of entrepreneurship that the government of Republic of Zambia is encouraging is being diluted by unscrupulous small businesses that are working with procurement officers in ministries, government agencies, military institutions, even in institutions of integrity like the ACC, and the auditor general’s officer  to steal money from the Zambians through shady deals.

What has happened to the procedure of checking the business premises of a potential supplier before a major purchase is made?

Where are internal auditors who are supposed to verify these purchases?

I don’t think controlling officers who are permanent secretaries do not know the market price of consumables such as office supplies and tyres.

Where is ZIPS in the equation? Are they not supposed to be monitoring their member’s activities?

These days, it is common for briefcase men to get contract for the supply of goods and services with big institutions like Zesco and Zambia police without considering the price, quality of the good or service and the capacity of a briefcase men to supply.

This is why some people think that politicians in government are stealing, it is because of these uncaring Civil servants.

It is very easy to catch these people, when they get quotations, they will openly seek a discount, if you discount the quotation in favour of the government, then forget about it, they will take it where they will get cash in exchange for an order, major culprits are Zambia army, Zesco, ACC, Zambia police, auditor’s general’s office and RDA headquarters.

Today, the people in transport section of these institutions get fake questions from main suppliers of tyres to favour briefcase men who don’t even pay tax, they will inflate prices two to three times.

Supervisors of these people must start verifying these quotations with genuine dealers and save government resources.

I call on President Edgar Lungu to warn the controlling officers from taking a laissez-faire attitude towards purchases.

Disappointed Zambian

Lusaka