ACC PROBES PUBLIC OFFICERS OVER FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES IN THE AWARDING OF TENDERS

ACC PROBES PUBLIC OFFICERS OVER FAILURE TO FOLLOW PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES IN THE AWARDING OF TENDERS

By KALOBWE BWALYA 

SIX officers in Eastern Province Administration Office are under investigation by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over failure to follow procurement procedures in the awarding of tenders for the construction of nine wildlife officers’ houses and three gates at Lukusuzi National Park in Lumezi.

This is under the US$32 million World Bank loan project of Zambia Integrated Forestry Landscape.

Six officers who include the Head of Procurement Department and four others as well as an Assistant Secretary have been suspended indefinitely until investigations are concluded. 

Provincial Minister Peter Phiri has said the provincial administration has engaged procurement officers from the Ministry of Health to be in-charge of procurement matters as the five officers are being investigated.

In an interview, ACC spokesperson Queen Chibwe has confirmed the ongoing investigations but could not give details.