PRESIDENT Banda has trashed allegations that he was involved in the US$98 million deal between Zambia National Building Society (ZNBS) and National Pensions Scheme Authority (NAPSA) for the rehabilitation and upgrading of Society House.
Mr Banda told journalists in Lusaka yesterday that he had nothing to do with the deal.
He said as head of State, he is briefed before parastatals embark on such big projects but he has no role to play in tender processes because Zambia has procedures on public procurement.
“I don’t do things that way. In this country we have procedures but of course people say a lot of things.
And when I look at a project and approve it, the rest is up to the technocrats,” Mr Banda said.
He said this at Lusaka International Airport on arrival from Turkey where he had gone to attend the United Nations conference on least developed countries (LDCs).
Mr Banda said as head of State, he neither participates in nor interferes with tender procedures.
“I don’t participate in tender procedures. It is illegal for anyone to interfere with tender procedures just as it is illegal to interfere with the judiciary and Parliament. It is not right. You know this is life and somebody has to be accused,” he said.
Mr Banda said he saw the initial story carried by The Post and response from both ZNBS and NAPSA. He said what the two parastatals have said on the matter is the correct position.
Early this week, The Post alleged that the President was involved in awarding a US$ 98 million tender for the rehabilitation of society house to a Kenyan firm without following tender procedures.
But ZNBS and NAPSA dismissed the allegation and produced a copy of the advertisement for the tender.
The advertisement, issued by the Zambia Public Procurement Authority in the Zambia Daily Mail edition dated August 11, 2010, called for tender applications from interested parties.
[Zambia Daily Mail]
“I don’t do things that way. In this country we have procedures but of course people say a lot of things.
And when I look at a project and approve it, the rest is up to the technocrats,” Mr Banda said.
I thought it is the technocrats that should approve the Project and give recommendations to the president and not the other way round. At least he does not trash that $98M is earmarked for Society House. Personally If somebody quoted more than $10M to refurbish that building I would recommend demolishing it and build a new one instead. $98M is collossal and if thats available the cabinet should direct to better use.
Rb your @ss is skating on thin ice
This man is destined for the trash can. His reasoning is so out of date he scares me to bits.
how can you refurbish a building at $98m.this is madness to say the least.no wonder we cant see real development in this country…viva change come what may.
Rupiah Banda RB is a Rubbish Bin
“…And when I look at a project and approve it, the rest is up to the technocrats,”
Mmm! How would he know the viability of a project if he did not even go to school to earn a degree even in home craft? Thats why things go wrong in Zambia. Because technocrats come later to just implement what fuuls have approved. Pls, let technocrats study the technical issue to approve or disapprove. If approved by them any fuul can sign it off.
Honestly you people —- how do you give suc a contarct to Kenyans? If you went to Kenya can you even be allowed to supply veggies to their hospital? Dont we have Zambian companies who can do that job? You cant really understand what is in the heads of the Zambian leaders. Look at Rwanda, few years ago Rwanda was a war zone, today Rwanda is the cleanest country in the who of Africa. In few years (according to a BBC report) Rwanda will be the Singapore of Africa. And yet all that we hear in Zambia is just theft. My God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway althought RB you are used to answering trashing anything from the Post, But $98milion is a lot of money which u can leave to the technocrats. By the way ingnorance has no defence. The bells will ring after your tenure RB
Bla bla bla. Can anyone also prove Zamtel, Mobile Hospitals and other underhand deals?
@ #7 Dawa1
Is Zambezi Consortium a Kenyan company??
Maximising on the opportunities is the name of the game. Get what you can before you are booted out is in play. Its very sad to hear what our presdo is saying. It was RP Capital, then arms deal, Oil deal, mobile hospitals etc and now $98m NAPSA, all in the space of 2 years. What more if given another mandate, what will happen to this country???????? Its scary. :((:((:((
It is frightening to hear from RB himself that he approved the project. Does our president have experts to advise him? This is a very reckless way of handling pension funds. Did RB analyse how ZNBS is going to pay back the debt. You dont need to be an expert to be able to project that the little rentals after refurbishing cannot sustainn such huge debt. RB is throwing our pension in a bottomless pit. No wonder he is becoming unpopular each day. US$98m is too much for just refubishment.
My understanding is that this project is about the redevelopment of the CBD of which the burnt Society House building is a part. The building in question has been an eye sore for close to two decades and I welcome any attempts for us to turn the page. Of course in such a highly charged political year such as this one depending on which side of the fence you are on RB, Sata and HH will never do any right neither will they do any wrong. Lastly I can bet that there will be no Kenyan involvement in this project whatsoever……and yes I think doing business in the CBD shall become a pleasure once this project is commissioned…..
Yes US$98 is a lot of money for sure. I was just wondering how many schools we can build out of this kind of money. I am sure we can go very far with this kind of money. The best the government can do is simply to sale this building to those interested otherwise I cannot see any serious investment in such a deal. And just too many scandals bamudala. I end here!
$98m? why not just build another one?…………The PF homo magazine is just doing politics,but $98m is way too much for refurbishment.
Can NAPSA make it clear if the entire gutted Society House let alone just refurbishing it is really worth $98m? And what is meant by RB approving a project and the rest being left to the technocrats? I thought the technocrats are suppose to provide vital information as to whether a project makes economic sense before the president approves it. in any case does that mean single sourcing a contractor. Can’t we have an alternative organization where we can make contributions pliz?? This NAPSA is a political financial drainage that sucks the blood of the suffering Zambian workers and pour it into a bottomless pit .
This is the first president that will serve a full jail term. hahahahahahhaaaaaa
Am sick and tired next Govt plz and please arrest all these thieves……………
Surely $98million! For that trash of a building, why not demolish it and put up another one. How on earth can someone justify spending this colossal sum of money on that trash. Does this RB, NAPSA and ZNBS know how much $98million is? This RB should just visit Rwanda and see how this small country is developing, my goodness $98million these people should be serious about development. Shame on you!
Rupiah will never take responsibility for anything. I am sure he will even deny the fact he married Thandiwe when she was less than 30yrs old and he was over 70yrs. We want a govt that accepts mistakes & take responsibility…not denying everything all throughout their reign. Awe twanaka naimwe
Mr. ICON OF CORRUPTION (RB), you said your role is to approve tenders which did in the 2NAPSA deals. Is it really your role to approve tenders as you put it?
Why have you approved the 2 NAPSA deals where tender proceedures where not followed with such scaring collosal sums of money?
Zambians must not be condemned to another 5years under MMD if we are to see meaningful development.
Twanaka nankwe naleya mwe.
NAPSA money is my money that i sweat for every month, why was i not consulted through my representative in parliament as to whether i want to spend my money in this way? Meanwhile our retirees are languishing on the streets because NAPSA has no money and most likely I will join them! Something is seriously wrong with the powers of the president and our laws! Honestly how can the president alone approve such a colossal sum of people’s money and then mock the technocrats? Which technocrat can overturn a project that has already been approved by the president? No wonder every business house is going to state house to make all sorts of donations because they know what they will get in return! Approvals!! Can the president afford not to be corrupt with such kind of powers?
At the rate we are going with so many dubious deals involving colossal sums of hard cash Zambia is doomed. Zambians too sleepy and docile and enjoy being flattered by the catch phrase ‘Peaceful nation’.
What is wrong with this Post Vuvuzela Post Newspaper.
Why does this paper misled Zambians even on critical and essential things. No wonder there lies at about the floppy Sata’ Oxford class address has now come to the attention of Zambians. We have been reliably informed that Mmembe’s nephew who is studying history Oxford is doing his dissetationon SATA and he is the one who asked Sata to come a present a paper to his class and in the presence of his Supervisor. The name of this comrade SS just went recently after acquiring a Rhodes schorlarship. Apartly this same study arranged one hostel as accommodation for SATA but the staff ta Oxford were very surprised to see the delegation of Mr. SATA whose delegation was very bloated as they only expected one or two more members in his company.
Can we justify the the useless deal here? Do not [-x draw our attentions elsewhere… We debated on that already. So, has the post newspaper lied here?
Even the same class was poorly arranged and some of the members of audiance were actually MR. SATA’s relations based in the UK.
baseless accusations with no proof at all,God have mercy on them,
The ICON OF CORRUPTION (Rupiah) has spoken.
He approves tenders and he did in the 2 NAPSA dubious deals.
He approved the tender for a single sourced contrator where the proceedures were not followed,why?
How can one say i was not involved but the same person agrees in the same story that he approved the project? I thought approval is the highest level of involvement!
I didnt know that NAPSA can afford to lend that money to another institution because our retires have been languishing without being paid and my guess is that there is no money! There is something seriously wrong in this country in terms of powers of the president. Honestly, what is parliament and cabinet for if the project has to be approved by the president. Talk of technocrats, what is their role? which technocrat has a muscle to overturn the presidential decision, nomatter how lousy it is? Thats why all business people are rushing to state house and make all sorts of donation so they can get approvals
Imao! more is yet to be revealed.
What is the validity period for a GRZ tender from the time it is advertised?
RB embarasses us alot,does the President have advisors honestly?His statements clearly show the man is involved in this scam,how does he approve a single sourced deal?He is there to protect public funds,why didn’t he find out who else had tendered for this project?
#26 – Your comments are out context to the topic at hand. Sata is not part of the the $98M saga but RB is. Does that make sense to you?
When it comes to quoting anonymous sources, the Post are known for this kind of reporting. This is the reason the paper has now has an identifiable trend of double standards, bias and distortions of news and sadly this has become the norm. Their technique to cause the discontent of 1991 or cite plunder cases has clearly failed to tip the scale in favour of their preferred candidate. The plunder occurring in Zambia now has to do with private citizens stealing sovereign assets. Why is that trucks full of copper cathodes are deviated and copper destined for export is stolen by gangs and The Post says nothing about that? The paper should stop selective reporting on plunder.
kuyabebele, MMD zwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
Projects undertaken under the Levi administration were well executed, budgeted for and went through proper tender procedures and not now when its one person giving a node to projects, without even looking at how much the govt and govt institutions will lose. Spending more than what he has in the name of questionable ‘projects’ meant to appease people with nothing of substance like for example the hospitals on wheels. This man speaks the language of millions now, money he doesn’t work for and would willingly plunge he nation into debts he’d never help in paying for. $98 million, this NAPUSA claims not have money to pay people – pensiners- who contribute their hard earned cash and without consultations they decide to flush this money down the drain.
AMAYAMA raises a valid point, and would like to add these queries. 1.0 what is the cost of the existing building? 2.0 What would it cost to build a similiar building or better? 3.0 What are rates per square meter will ZNBS be charging to recoup this kind of investment?
You RB, the question is why could you not dispute or question the $98 million dollar to rehabilitate a standing building? . If you RB only knows about the cost of fertilizer per hector, then ask Chipata Trades School students to do costing calculations, for ZNBS building and they will come up with $10 dollars, and you can double that to give to your MMD friends and your son who will bring paint from South Africa. But NOT $98 AMERICAN DOLLARS.
1 Amayama says:
Fri May 13 at 10:21 am
“I don’t do things that way. In this country we have procedures but of course people blah blah– BUT THAT IS THE WAY HE IS DOING THINGS>
BR knows that his day are numbered. He is amassing riches for his little twins. I have no doubt that Jimbo is linked to this deal. $98 million is alot of money which can buld an ultra modern building save for rehabilitating it.
Fellows Zambians can we go and vote enmasse and remove this corrupt regime. They say birds of the same feathers flock together, what use is Chiluba to RB if they are not both corrupt. See how we have failed to come up with the people – driven constitution!!! This very man we have never wanted to ascend to the presidency of this country in the name of M C Sata will do wonders when we usher him into office. Fellow country men and women, we need change.
#25 Ba Easy Goes, take it easy. Sata is not part of this story. Besides your uncle Rupiah has just admitted his involvement in this scam. Just read word by word, the man has fully admitted the accusations. Mwana state house is for all Zambians. Your uncle is just one of the 11million potential tenants so one day he has to leave.
USD 98 million to rehabilitate and upgrade society house! It sounds horrendous to any right thinking human being. Mr President please stop allowing public funds being squandered in such ways.
To build a beautiful city requires resources. To turn our capital city into a larvish city will surely require collossal sums of money regardless of the government in place. I reckon the MMD have thought very well in this regard and should be recommended. We need to start somewhere and I feel this is a good starting point. For sure that’s how Rwanda was started. Lets learn to appreciate.
ba RB mulibawelewele! RB you are fool . how can refuse that you were not involved at the same time you say you approved the project? then for you #25&26 you are mad because people about US$98m and you busy talking about people who haven’t done anything. I think we should stand up as zambians as people who pay tax because our money is being misused. honestly US$98M spending on refubishing? you be serious. RB you are a let down I wonder those degrees you have I got them. think smart as a president.
Professionalism is lacking in the Zambian media. Public media is being abused and now LT is also a MMD tool. Post newspaper is also PF tool
I THOUGHT IT WAS THE OTHER WAY AROUND FIRST THE PRESIDENT SHOULD HAVE CONSULTED THE TECHNOCRATS THEN EITHER APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE,HONESTLY SPEAKING WE ARE NOT A NATION TO SPEND U$98MILLION ON RENOVATION OF A BUILDING….THIS IS NONSENCE TO SAY THE LEAST…PLEASE SAVE THIS NATION FROM COLLAPSE…BA SATA TULUBULENE…NAPSA ALSO PURCHASED LAND FROM MEANWOOD AT U$15MILLION ARE WE A NORMAL NATION?WHAT ABOUT THE U$100MILLION ARMS DEAL?WHAT ABOUT U$53MILLION MOBILE HOSPITAL WHOSE SUPPLEMENTARY BUDGET IS AT K21BILLION?
I’m sick with Rubbish Banda
Public media is being abused and now LT is also a MMD tool
SO HE APPROVED, AND HE KNEW ABOUT. WHAT IS THIS NONSENSE OF A HEADLINE THAT HE HAS TRASHED THE POST, OTHER THAN CONFIRMING THAT HE HAS BEEN CAUGHT PANTS DOWN? EVEN HIS PRAISE SINGERS ON THIS BLOG CAN’T COMMENT, INSTEAD ARE POSTING OUT OF TOPIC, INCONGRUITY. IF THEY HAVE BRAINS AS THEY CLAIM, THEY MUST ASHAMED OF THIS PRESIDENT.
HE WILL FACE THE COURTS HE HAS BEEN ABUSING.
@1 Amayama
When the President says that he looks at a project and approve it, it is the Technocrats who draw up proposals and submit to him for approval. After that, they carry on the work. The President and Cabinet are responsible for policy and direction. In this issue, policy would be: What do we do with the gutted ZNBS building? The President directs the relevant Minister/s to come up with a proposal. The Ministers get to work with their Perm secs who draw up a ‘technical plan.’ This is given to the ministers, tabled before Cabinet or if it is State security goes to Presdo alone. The Presdo and/or cabinet approve and goes back to PS for implementation. From time to time, the Presdent may inquire about progress to push civil servants.
@49 G. K. The Patriot
My understanding of the Post story was that:
1. RB single sourced the Kenyan contractor.
2. RB forced NAPSA to fund the project.
3. The ZNBS is broke and there is no means to repay the loan.
On all these issues, one thing is clear. RB is being accused of bulldozing a project that is not viable. And as some people here say, $98 mil is too much.
This is plain ignorance. Refurbishing a multistorey building gutted by fire is as good as building another one. This 98 mil may be a lotta money to some, but it is peanuts in architectural and building terms.
Lusaka City is the most dirty capital I have ever seen. The MMD should go.
You mean the city of Lusaka is the dirtiest capital you know. It is run by the PF led city council. You ought to distinguish between central and local government. The Lusaka City Council collects revenue from businesses and property owners in the city as well as recieve a grant and Constitutional development funds through its 5 MPs. It is the richest council in the country so blame the Councillors not the MMD. One reason why we do not develop is because you people you do not know who is responsible for what and so you cannot get the right response.
where did this man come from? I wish we vote somebody else, anybody will
Ba #25/ Easy shani uko, Bla bla bla Sata this sata that, RB has admitted to Approving tenders then directing the professionals to allow it. So please ma man just shut the f@#$ up!
This venture is already shrouded in controversy. Those who are close to RB should advise him to cancel this tender and start afresh. Otherwise people should not be blamed for being against what is going on. There just too many scandals revolving around RB!
What about those flats in kabulonga ba RB? Mpundu Enterprises . . .is that the disguise name? Muza ulula Baba. . . .wait.
Transhing is the language beffiting the pf vuvuzela post newspaper coz whatever they say is transh indeed.
@Galu wamkota sakandila pacabe says: Spot on. We need to learn to read and understand the context in which certain words are used. To me the approval that some people are talking about means that technocrats presented to him the idea of rebuilding ZNBS which he OKEYED. If things continue like this were every semblance of doing something good for the country will be termed as corruption, we can as well forget about development which comes by making seriouly financial commitments.By the way have people seen the Drawings of ZNBS once done, well, it might be worth the $98 million.
$98 million is equivalent to about 500 billion Kwacha. What a colossal sum!
You chaps who are blaming The Post are also crooks like your corrupt president.
The Post are merely unearthing dubious deals of RB and he has agreed that he approved it. Now,why are you calling them liars?
Blame your corrupt RB. Why venting your anger on the innocent Post?
Anyone with links to recently launched “Stand up for Zambia” newspaper by Chanda Chimba III or link to his video/ audio documentaries online?
the amount of ignorance exhibited by our pf cadres is shocking, especially that some of them claim some education. even our illiterate central commitee knows what rb means when he says that he has approved a project. for your education, a project is appraised by technocrats and best options presented to the president or cabinet for approval. it is like experts in a company appraising a project, they then present it to the ceo or board of directors for approval. this does not mean that the ceo or board are experts at all, it is simply corporate governance. as a government in waiting we are worried about how our government will run projects if we cannot learn simple things from rb.
RB chiwelewele! MMD guys, cmon get rid of this chipuba and get a new leader. He is derailing our development. Rwanda with no resources (and no english too) will be governing us soon. Zambia has got the best accent in southern africa and we need to exploit that pronto. call centres etc, but RB is only interestest in a 20% cut! I will bwela to Zedee and tomba ka misus kako!
RB trashes this,RB trashes that, every time RB is trashing important questions on important issues.This man needs a spokesperson seriously coz his trash must be full with very vital issues that most Zambians need explanations to….
#62 Don’t show your ignorance. Government should have no part in these things. These should be purely commercial decisions. NAPSA is owned by its members and RB or his family should have no part in it. If the tender procedures were followed, the relevant tendering organisation should make the documents available to the public. Banda decided a long time ago that he would get away with anything as long as he remained silent. So far it has worked, but his term is coming to the end and he is a worried man.
This explains RB’s stance over Chiluba’s case
Rain or no rain it is RB or our very Own son HH Next five years. RB is good and people are able to see development everywhere in the country. My people in southern province appreciate the mobile hospitals. Please provide use with a mobile train hospital too if it exists. But for the sake of real change then HH will take lead. Viva upnd
@65, these are parastatals and that is the procedure, technical and commercial decisions are made by technocrats including originating the idea. cabinet, or the president if you like, endorses the decisions in the national interest. even our president in waiting mr sata will have to do the same when he becomes president in 2016. i hope that iit s not too difficult for you to understand. but that is why privatisation is a beautiful lady, these would be private decisions, and rb (2008 to 2016) or sata (2016 to 2036) would be spared of anguish at the hands of our ignorant cadres like you.
BOSI…. Banda Out Sata In. We are surely tired of this blushing of very important issues. If this so called Post lied why not take a firm stand as Head of State to address all the issues surrounding Stae House.
LT why am I failing to post my comment? It keeps giving internal server error? What is happening?
#58 MAT – We all want development but not at all cost. That Society buiding is an eye sore and I just wondered why nothing has been done with it for so long. If RB was talking about spending $5M refurbishing that building I am sure he would be receiving accolades. But when someone comes up with $98M for buiiding an already structured building then we smell corruption. When he acquires 7 trucks for $50M and call them mobile hospitals then we smell corruption. When his son is at the centre of a $100M arms deal then we smell corruption. These are serious issues if you want development. By the way, you do not need to look at the plans to conclude that this is nonsensical. I also write as someone that works in this industry
@71, the mobile hospitals consist of 7 trucks per set total cost $50m, and not $50m per 7 trucks as you claim. if you cannot get your facts right or try to distort facts, then you are classified as a professional pf cadre and not an industry professional, and so we are entitled to trash any comments that you make.
@51 A Galu wamkota sakandila pacabe
Please, save me the Diplomatic insults, the word IGNORANCE is RELATIVE.
This is a moral issue, pensioners go for years without getting their dues, and yet NAPSA has the money to loan out. If RB, his Technocrats, and Situmbeko saw that this was a viable venture, why didn’t they bail out ZNBS using MoFNP resources? What are the projected returns for NAPSA for this investment?
I don’t expect RB to respond to The Post allegations word for word, but what is paramount is that he did the ultimate of approving. Do you mean he approves things without analysing what he is approving just because his corrupt technocrats have recommended to him?
Carlington Maize, US$20m Arms deal, Zamtel, Windfall Tax, Mobile Hosp. FTJ acquittals, US$15m land.. Alimbe RB.
The post will put pressure on PF govt til RB and Dola are arrested next yr
#72 – My dear friend you are confusing yourself. I said 7 trucks for $50m which simply means 7 trucks were bought for $50M. I did not say each truck cost $50m. If you feel that simple english distorts your comprehension god help us.+
East set of Mobile Hospitals of 7 trucks cost US5.89m (53/9) [K28,266,667,200] each. I want some contractor here to tell me how many modern clinics, with a basic operating theatre, at least 50 bed capacity, run by a Resident Medical Licentiate, Nurses, Clincal Officers, Lab Tech, could have been built from this amount of money in hard to reach areas? And this cost will continue going up maintaining the Chinese Medical personnel whom RB has signed a contract with for two years, allowances for the Zambian staff, fuel, and services and repairs.
This is simply non-sustainable considering the poverty we have in our Zambia. Static infrastructure could have made sense for health care service delivery other than this rubbish. This is a scandal of a mega f**king proportion.
Sorry Bloggers, meant EACH SET…refer at #76 posting
What is clear is that this project is not a myth but real. RB should not just be content with saying that he approved it but was not involved (whatever that means) and that some one has to be accused because that is life. Let RB defend himself on why he approved it. The concern of Zambians is why lend such colosal amounts of workers money to the financially ailing ZNBS, which is even failing to repair its own building when its prime objective is to empower Zabians build houses.
(2) Why single source a Kenyan contractor. Levy spent sleepless nights convincing Zambians in the diaspora to come and properly run NAPSA and ZRA, and here comes uncle RB out of retirement from his farm and he is having a big party.
Where is ZCTU , where are the workers representatives??? There constributions are about to used for MMD expenses during the elections. The unions silence is very lound. The deal about single sourcing is that the appointed contractor apportions a huge chunk of the cost to the appointing authority, in this case RB and MMD.
What kind of head of state responds to every allegation the is levelled against him? Mpombo is a mad man, the hostile media, Mulongoti is a disgrantled man, I don’t do things this way, Sata is this… We are tired of this Ngoni (Zambabwean) man even if it’s one Zambia, one nation mwe. Ati kupusa bati!