Categories: Editor's Picks

Govt must publicize names of erring contractors, suppliers – Consortium

• Government’s hands are tied on how they can trust local suppliers and contractors.
• It should not just end at blacklisting but their names should be publicized.
• Law enforcement agencies should visit them so that government can recover the money.

Consortium of Local Contractors and Allied Suppliers says it supports government’s decision not to pay contractors and suppliers who signed huge contracts without delivering the projects.
Consortium President John Chilupula told Money FM News in an interview that in as much as suppliers and contractors complain for not being paid, they need to do a lot of introspection in the manner they have been doing business with government.
Mr. Chilupula said although the Consortium has always advocated that government should give business to local suppliers and contractors, Government’s hands are tied on how they can trust local suppliers and contractors.
He urged government not just to blacklist erring contractors but also publicize their names and allow law enforcement agencies to visit them so that government can recover the money.
“We support the government for this one as regards certain companies or contractors who have been owed money without providing the services. As a Consortium, we have always advocated that government should give business to local suppliers and contractors but with these events unfolding, I think Government’s hands are tied on how they can trust local suppliers and contractors.”
“It should not just end at blacklisting but their names should be publicized and law enforcement agencies should visit them so that government can recover the money because that is stealing from government and that money belongs to the people because that is tax payers’ money,” Mr. Chilupula said.
Mr. Chilupula further urged government to expedite forensic audit on domestic debt so that innocent suppliers and contractors can be paid.
“So we support that stance and we hope that can it be expedited, audits possibly if they can be completed quickly so that clean or innocent companies, clean contractors, clean suppliers can get their money,” he added.
During a Press Conference on Monday, President Hakainde Hichilema revealed that some feeder road contractors have not yet been paid because they siphoned a lot of money by signing contracts worth K13 billion for projects that were never delivered.
President Hichilema said government cannot pay for a service that was never delivered, hence some overpriced contracts were canceled in order to protect citizens from wasteful expenditure.
“Feeder road contractors gave themselves contracts illegally in 2020-2021 to the tune of K13 billion that is the money they were flashing around during elections. They were given contracts to do roads they don’t even have a hoe or shovel but siphoned money through contracts.
“Someone signed the contracts, he or she who should protect citizens facilitated the corruption, bills were rendered with 20% down payment for a contract of K400 million and 10% of K400 million is K40 million and 20 % is K80 million, they got paid K80 million but they did not do any road. We found those bills and said we are not paying those bills, we cannot pay for theft,” President Hichilema stated.

More From Author

World Bank urges Zambia to capture other benefits beyond mining sector

• World Bank is committed to supporting African countries to translate Africa’s mineral wealth into…

Read More

Kwacha gains should benefit consumers – BuyZed

• This is to ensure that consumers begin to enjoy what is produced locally.• Manufactures…

Read More

SEC attributes decline in Q4 bond trades to delayed debt restructuring process

• One of the challenges is to do with the delays in finalizing the debt…

Read More

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

You May Also Like

IZB profit up 18.74% to K604.33 million

IZB has posted a K604.33 million Net Profit after tax for the year ended 31st…

Read More

Indo Zambia Bank declares K50 million dividend cheque

This is part of the K125 million dividend, the highest ever for 2023 financial year.…

Read More

Economist expects currency to hit K15 between April, December, 2024

  The Kwacha has been experiencing an unusual decline since introduction of the Export Proceeds…

Read More