CONFLICT OF INTEREST: DOCUMENTS CONFIRM MINISTER CHIKOTE WAS A SHAREHOLDER DURING BIDDING AND CONTRACT AWARDING
A major controversy has erupted surrounding Energy Minister and Luampa MP Makozo Chikote following revelations that he was still a shareholder in Chika Investments when the company won Constituency Development Fund (CDF) contracts from the Luampa Council.
According to documents from the Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA), as shared by The National Watch, Minister Chikote only relinquished his shares in September 2024, months after the contracts had already been awarded. This contradicts claims that his exit from the company absolved him of any conflict of interest.
The new evidence raises serious ethical and legal concerns, suggesting that a sitting Cabinet Minister was still financially linked to a company benefiting from public contracts, even while serving on the very CDF Committee responsible for approving these projects.
While Luampa Council has denied any wrongdoing, critics argue that the conflict of interest is clear and undeniable, calling for a full investigation into whether government procurement rules were violated.
Prominent legal expert Dickson Jere criticized the defense put forward by Luampa Council, highlighting glaring contradictions in their response:
“WOW!!! Whoever issued this statement has really opened Pandora’s box instead of defending the minister! What does he mean that only PACRA will tell whether the minister is a shareholder or not? No, sir! The PACRA printout is given at the tender stage so that one knows who owns the company. So, you must have that PACRA document with you… It is required at the tender stage so that you know whether the company is owned by Zambians or non-Zambians. Silence is golden!”
Jere’s argument reinforces the legal requirement that PACRA documents must be verified during the bidding process to ensure transparency and prevent conflicts of interest. If Hon. Chikote was listed as a shareholder at the time of bidding, then the council’s claim that they “do not verify individual shareholders” does not hold water.
Despite mounting pressure, Luampa Council Secretary Jeremiah Sachikola dismissed allegations that Minister Chikote had a hand in awarding the contracts. Speaking on Diamond Tv, Sachikola defended the procurement process, stating:
“Contracts were not awarded to a Member of Parliament. Contracts were awarded to the bidders that participated in the advertised tenders, and Chika Investments was one of the companies that met the requirements. The company was represented in the bidding process by a woman named Hilary Weza.”
Sachikola further explained that:
• The council does not verify individual shareholders but focuses on whether a company is legally registered and tax-compliant.
• Chika Investments was among 70 bidders competing for 34 projects and met all necessary legal and financial requirements.
• The bidding process was handled independently, and contracts were awarded based on merit rather than political influence.
However, with PACRA records NOW confirming Hon. Chikote’s shareholding at the time of contract awarding, many Zambians have said regardless of procedure, the conflict of interest is clear and demands a formal investigation.
KEY QUESTIONS & IMPLICATIONS ZAMBIANS ARE ASKING?
With evidence now showing that Minister Chikote was a shareholder at the time of bidding and contract awarding, serious legal and ethical concerns arise:
1. why didn’t Hon. Chikote declare his shareholding at the time of bidding?
2. If PACRA documents were required at the tender stage, why was his name not flagged earlier?
3. Will the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) open an investigation into this potential abuse of office?
4. What action, if any, will the government take to ensure accountability in the awarding of CDF contracts?
The unfolding situation has put both the Luampa Council and the Minister under intense scrutiny, and citizens are demanding for an independent investigation into this matter
CONFLICT OF INTEREST: DOCUMENTS CONFIRM MINISTER CHIKOTE WAS A SHAREHOLDER DURING BIDDING AND CONTRACT AWARDING
