The MMD in Mazabuka has called on President Rupiah Banda to intervene in a matter in which senior managers at the Zambia Sugar Plc are allegedly opposing the awarding of contracts to the Mazabuka District Business Association.
District Vice chairperson, Takawira Mahere told ZANIS in Mazabuka yesterday that the negative behaviour of some managers contradicts the directives by President Banda in which he instructed management to ensure that local contractors equally benefit from contracts.
He said only President Banda can help in reducing the tension that has been mounting as a result of selfish motives by some individuals who have been benefiting from the business tycoons.
Mr. Mahere said it is sad that the managers are in favour of an individual instead of assisting small scale entrepreneurs who contribute greatly to the growth of the economy.
He said President Banda should ensure management does not fall prey to the schemes of a cartel of managers who have been benefiting from the awarding of contracts to some ‘powerful’business tycoons.
Mr Mahere expressed worry at the threats of violence on Company Corporate Affairs manager, Lovemore Sievu whom they have accused of having proposed the blacklisting of business tycoons from being awarded contracts.
He added that the ruling party strongly supports the stance taken by the district business association over the threats on Mr. Sievu by some managers at the company and some business houses.
On Monday, Mazabuka District Business Association chairperson told ZANIS that his association will take advantage of President Banda’s visit to help stop attempts by some senior managers at Zambia Sugar Company to deny the local people contracts.
ZANIS
I hope these local business are competitve. If their service is not good value for money, then the company has a right to look somewhere else. Politicising the issue is not long term solution. We have been that route before, with parastatal companies. Look where we ended.
It would be good to hear from Zambia Sugar themselves, and what their procurement procedure is for services. If it is not transparent, or corrupt, may be the ACC could investigate, or the ZCA.
Certainly we need a system that is fair for both buyer and seller across the country, somewhere where everyone can go for arbitration. RB and politicians come and go, but systems remain.