MINISTER of Works and Supply, Mike Mulongoti, says Government has handed over 21 blacklisted contractors to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to determine the merits of their cases.
Mr Mulongoti said this in Lusaka yesterday during a consultative meeting with the contractors.
He said out of the 42 contractors that were banned, 21 had been cleared.
Mr Mulongoti said the contractors were notified that preliminary inquiries indicated that there was nothing worth taking to the DPP.
“There is another 21; the papers are with the DPP to determine whether there is merit in this,” he said.
Mr Mulongoti said instructions had been given to the directorate in the Ministry of Works and Supply to pursue the matter with the DPP.
Mr Mulongoti said the decision by Government to institute investigations for alleged unethical behaviour was not done in bad faith but was aimed at protecting and clearing the names of Government and the contractors.
He said this was vital to build confidence in the public who were the owners of the funds.
“When you are investigated, it does not imply guilt.
You must be ready to be investigated because you are paid public funds. I want to appeal to you that there must be no bitterness,” Mr Mulongoti told contractors.
He also said the Road Development Agency had already drafted the work plan for next year and that it was important that the names of the contractors were urgently cleared.
Mr Mulongoti advised the contractors not to be selfish but engage in partnerships with foreign companies with equipment and capacity so that they could build their capacities and complete projects in time.
He said Government wanted to construct nine major roads before the year 2011 but that the major hurdles were the contractors who delayed work due to lack of capacity.
“We want nine major roads by 2011. If you don’t see us, and we invite someone from Germany, do not be surprised,” Mr Mulongoti said.
He advised the contractors not to go straight to President Banda when they have a problem.
Mr Mulongoti also advised the contractors not to report their fellow contractors to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) but instead engage in fair competition.
“If you go straight to the head of State, that is a vote of no-confidence in me, and I will tell him that you are a useless and corrupt contractor. So please work with us, our offices are open…we are here to solve problems,” Mr Mulongoti said.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
Please DPP deal with the culprits,these are the pipo who are affecting the development of our contry.
I hope that mulo did not do this gud job to sort out light blues and fists. It wud vebn beta if the names were handed ova 2 dec 4 prosecution.
kamulongoti
give us the names of the 21 blacklisted companies. can someone pls pass on this infor
# 4. Good suggestion. Mulongoti should give the names of the 21 blacklisted companies.
#3 kaleke kachite inshi?!
Ministry of Works directorate cannot spearhead the prosecution of these companies because they are the main culprits in the abandoned works because they want to be oiled before release funds.
well…baza ululana mucot!
chongo
Does anyone know the list of these companies?
Strictly speaking the blacklisted companies are at equal wrong doing with the govt.corruption in zambia is now an institution.Ministers upto now & later where still inoveled in these scams.squiz contractors then list of ministers be produced.
Am sure the list is confidential!
You are right HON. Mulongoti if someone by passes you and goes straight to the President then indirectly he has rendered you irelevant.
Ka Mulongoti!
Give us the names…………..
Government needs to reconsider rewriting contracts and only complete payments where companies have fulfilled their obligations
Mulongoti minister of what? really? I never knew RB was so 1/2 baked’. ATleast it’s only 2 years.
Shrek-nose Bwezani
Mulongoti looks like a close-up of a ticks head! Ugly characters like hime should never be allowed to procreate!!
Mulongoti, from manager of ZCBC to minister what a dream come true. sometimes ass licking works, so fellas take heed!
:((:d/
I am sure the contractors blacklisted are not cadres of the a bid political party. Cadres can do anything in this wretched administration and they get away with it.
Can you trust mulongoti? One even wonders how tyhe guy continues as Minister. Anyway things happen in ZED.
[-(:-w