“There ia nothing wrong in giving a Phamarcy based in Garden Compound contract to supply ambulances’
PRESS STATEMENT ON THE PROCUREMENT AND DELIVERY OF CONSTITUENCY DEVELOPMENT FUND (CDF) AMBULANCES
Government wishes to respond 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, as reported in some sections of the media.
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.
We, therefore, find it disheartening that a tender to supply ambulances has been termed a scandal merely for being partially awarded to a company based in Garden compound.
We find this to be an insult to the dignity of the Zambian masses living or conducting businesses in compounds and we distance ourselves from such an insult.
As Government, we will continue providing opportunities to all citizens, regardless of where they live or conduct their lawful businesses within the Republic.
In actualising this commitment, Government last year issued the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) Circular No.1 of 2023, which directive is aimed at ensuring that procurement under the CDF empowers our citizens by giving preference to citizen bidders.
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.
Our 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, where the need for infrastructure development is most critical and urgent.
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.
By prioritising citizen bidders, we are not only fostering local entrepreneurship but also ensuring that the benefits of Government contracts are felt within our communities.
Against this background, the nation will see more tenders of supply of goods and services being awarded to citizen bidders, as long as they meet the requisite requirements for the supply of specified goods and services.
ZAMMSA was not looking for a company that could manufacture ambulances. They were simply looking for a company that could supply ambulances.
There is absolutely no justification why a business entity located in Garden compound could have been denied an opportunity to merely look for manufacturers or wholesalers of ambulances; negotiate the best price possible; and supply the same to Government.
This does not surely depend on the location of the business entity bidding for the tender.
Government, however, wishes to appeal to citizen suppliers that when given an opportunity to do business, it is imperative that they rise to the occasion.
Suppliers must adhere to the Presidential directive that tenders should be timely, competitively priced and of high quality. This is essential to maintain the integrity and efficiency of our procurement processes and to ensure that the intended benefits reach the Zambian people.
Government wishes to warn that all suppliers who fail to meet their contractual obligations, without reasonable justification, will face legal consequences and will not be protected by anyone.
Government remains committed to transparency and accountability in all our dealings and will continue to work diligently to ensure that the CDF serves its intended purpose of uplifting our communities.
I thank you.
Thabo Kawana
Permanent Secretary
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND MEDIA
28TH NOVEMBER, 2024
“There ia nothing wrong in giving a Phamarcy based in Garden Compound contract to supply ambulances’
