Vice president Mutale Nalumango has said that the mismanagement of the public service procurement process has potential to cripple the government.
Mrs. Nalumango says it is for this reason that the government will continue to explain the public service procurement process for effective management.
She says the success in the management of the public procurement is important because it will assist the government to unlock resources for national development.
Mrs. Nalumango was speaking during the second induction meeting on public service procurement for ministers and permanent secretaries’ in Lusaka.
The vice president said the meeting is part of efforts that are already being put in place to address issues currently affecting procurement where goods, services and works are procured at double or three times the price.
Mrs. Nalumango also urged government officials to ensure they understand the contents of the recently launched market price index by the Zambia public procurement authority(ZPPA).
She said the index is meant to benchmark procurement in individual institutions against an average price to achieve price rationality and value for money.
Mrs. Nalumango said it is unacceptable that the same mistakes should be made in procurement annually adding that the auditor general’s report must be used as a tool to assist in the operations of government.
And acting secretary to the cabinet Patrick Kangwa said the meeting is part of efforts by the government to build a smart and reliable public service.
Mr. Kangwa said officers are required to observe all the ethics that guide the civil service to promote confidence in the public service.
HH should be jealous of Ba Namalungo, she is well respected and gaining more. I simply knee before her….
Telling people obvious things that even a wet rock knows, is not leadership. When are we going to see the promises you gave zambians become a reality? We have had enough of your lectures and speeches. Ecl has infrastructure development to show for his rule, what will hh leave? Speeches? Clowns
Lusaka times you are now blocking me
Cancel all contracts secured by PF and get everyone to re-apply. Re-examine each application. Remove all PF carders. Hire internal and external auditors. Implementation of IT systems to make process transparent and equitable. Implement very punitive measures for procurement. Hire a completely independent board. Agressively monitor all projects – you have 24/7 onsite auditors for all projects above a certain amount $5 million. Train and educate Zambian engineering and workers. Limit granting of contracts to foreigners must be in Zambia for 5 years and contributed to tax above a certain threshold plus they must partner with Zambians. No more fully controlled Chinese projects. You do the above Madam VP we start to have a better procurement process.