Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) has noted with concern the conflict of interest in the awarding of the First Quantum Minerals (FQM) Ltd.’s US$1.3 billion expansion investment evaluation consultancy to Prof. Oliver Saasa through his consultancy firm, Premier Consult.
TIZ Chapter President Sampa Kalungu says his organization’s concern stems from the fact that Prof. Saasa is the chairperson of the Economic Advisory Council, having been appointed by President Hakainde Hichilema, and in that position, he provides advice to the President on economic matters.
Mr. Kalunga says the recommendations from the evaluation of FQM are crucial in informing the government on its next actions with regard to the country’s mining sector and overall economic development.
“It is therefore of grave concern that an individual who is meant to guide the President on the economic decisions pertaining to the country, is on the
other end, evaluating the country’s largest taxpayer on its investment in the country. As TI-Z, we have serious concerns bordering on how sure the government can be that the recommendations given about FQM will be based on an independent and unbiased assessment, given the clear ties Premier Consult has as an evaluator of FQM,” he said.
Below is the full statement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
31.05.22
TI-Z STATEMENT ON THE AWARDING OF FQM LTD’S $1.3 BILLION EXPANSION INVESTMENT EVALUATION CONSULTANCY TO PREMIER CONSULT
Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) has noted with concern the conflict of interest in the awarding of the First Quantum Minerals (FQM) Ltd.’s US$1.3 billion expansion investment evaluation consultancy to Prof. Oliver Saasa through his consultancy firm, Premier Consult. Our concern stems from the fact that Prof. Saasa is the chairperson of the Economic Advisory Council, having been appointed by President Hakainde Hichilema, and in that position, he provides advice to the President on economic matters.
The recommendations from the evaluation of FQM are crucial in informing the government on its next actions with regard to the country’s mining sector and overall economic development. It is therefore of grave concern that an individual who is meant to guide the President on the economic decisions pertaining to the country, is on the other end, evaluating the country’s largest taxpayer on its investment in the country.
As TI-Z, we have serious concerns bordering on how sure the government can be that the recommendations given about FQM will be based on an independent and unbiased assessment, given the clear ties Premier Consult has as an evaluator of FQM. Additionally, questions can arise on whether the awarding of the consultancy itself was impartial given Prof. Saasa’s position as chair of the President’s Economic Advisory Council, and his potential interest to advise the President in a particular direction. It is our considered view that Prof. Saasa ought to have declared interest in this consultancy project, or altogether detached himself from it given the existing and clear interest. We wish to state that our concern is not about the capacity of Premium Consult to do the work in terms of their qualifications and experience, but rather about the broader principles of accountability and transparency in this matter.
We, therefore, urge government officials and advisors to the President to be as transparent as possible in their dealings so as to allay any concerns and speculation related to their personal interests, which may potentially lead to doubts about their credibility and impartiality. We further urge State House to provide clarity and assurance on Premier Consult’s involvement in the FQM evaluation, in relation to the conflict of interest involving the chair of the President’s Economic Advisory Council.
Sampa J. Kalungu
TI-Z Chapter President
Zambians should allowed to benefit from such investments. A Zambian firm is given the opportunity you see something wrong. Tomorrow you will be saying Zambia’s poverty is escalating but you don’t want Zambians to have big jobs. The award is to his firm and I’m sure there will be safe guards within the firm to ensure Prof. is not part of the workmanship executing the process. They could even subcontract. Lets Zambians benefit. TIZ looks at everything with suspicion. Premier don’t listen to jealous people do your work professionally.
Clearly, this deal stinks to hell of conflict of interest. If this is not corruption then I wonder what it is. Your day or reckoning Professor Saasa and President HH will certainly come. Whatever you will amass beyond what you have now will be reasonably suspected to be proceeds of crime.
I think the process of awarding this contract started a long time ago before Mr. Saasa was even given the presidential appointment.
Dwell on things that matter rather than jeopardize zambian experts works. I never heard you condemn or caution the PF government on any of their many governance breaches. Mr. Saasa will do the needful to avoid governance compromise; he is a principled person, give him time.
@ 1 , you can’t say because people didn’t question the PF‘s shortcomings hence they shouldn’t question this perceived conflict of interest. That is a very shallow way of putting your argument across.
Hh biggest crook in southern hemisphere
Is TIZ transparent? Just asking.
First Quantum Minerals (FQM) is surprised and dismayed by a statement issued by Transparency International Zambia attempting to discredit the renowned economist Prof. Oliver Saasa.
Prof. Saasa’s company Premier Consult was commissioned by First Quantum Minerals to evaluate and explain the impact of the company’s US$1.35 billion expansion plans on the Zambian economy.
The Premier Consult team was given full independence to conduct their research impartially and with integrity to ensure a credible professional view of the investment. To ensure transparency, First Quantum’s engagement of the consultancy was clearly stated in the report.
“Professor Saasa is one of Zambia’s most experienced and learned economists. To question his integrity and suggest he and his company would work with…
#1 Ndine…. that High Court Judge who was fired some days ago was fired for an offense he had committed when he was a magistrate…. dwelling in past? The Prof can either resign his presidential appointment or withdraw his consultancy from this company. But he’s an African, you can education him but can’t get him out the village.
Had he been from Bembastan there would be no such noise, lipombwe tuni mwa kola!
Nothing to sing about here…………
Leave zambian professionals to work……..
From comments above one may only conclude that NOT ONE MUST QUESTION ANY WRONG OR SUSPECTED WRONG DOING under the current administration. I pity the common man and the youth who voted for change. This is not what we voted for….
Ha Ha! Tefyomwalefwaya…
Neo what are you saying? Are you congole
Silent previously. Active now. Eat now. These are high crimes misdemeanors that should not be tolerated.
Where is ACC and police? They conveniently refused to act on Alpha commodities. In another case involving a difference presidential aide, the police ironically arrested a journalist who revealed an audio in which the aide and a senior government official were planning something illegal.
No action on the aide and the government official were taken. I have no confidence that ACC or police will do anything about this, until there is a change of government perhaps.
Professor Oliver Saasa was appointee Presidential Economic Advisor, an organisation that was to meet once a year to advise the President from the private sector perspective. That body has to date not convened a erring because no one else has been appointed besides Prof Saasa. In the meantime, Prof Saasa is waiting for ToRs and official appointment. As this is happening, the mining company hires him to work on this report on its own behalf (not for the President). The same company had previously engaged Prof Saasa on VAT issues (abut two years ago). Prof Saasa saw an opportunity to do what his company is supposed to do. He engaged a team of other economists and statisticians to work on the report. It is a report for FQM and the latter can choose to use it to engage government. I cannot…
This is a fair comment from TIZ and should raise eyebrows, unless we are saying everything that the current govt does should not be questioned.
When we reach that stage in a democracy, then God help us, because every human being is fallible and prone to error.
When citizens question possible impropriety, we are actually helping those who are rulling us to stay the course and do the right thing. This in turn keeps our nation safe.
If ever there was a case of “natolafye”.