• In the second quarter of 2022, 11 investigations were undertaken.
• Some of the issues that were under investigations include the importation of wooden poles by Zesco.
• A Company by the name of Marshal’s Electronic System was suspended from participating in public procurement for one year.

Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) has pledged to improve Public Procurement processes in order to enhance transparency, accountability and obtain value for money.
Speaking at the second quarter media briefing, Authority Director General Idah Chella said this will be done through the Electronic Government Procurement System also known as E-GP System.
Mrs. Chella stated that ZPPA will ensure that all procuring entities adhere to the provisions of the Procurement Act and Public Procurement Regulations.
She disclosed that at the end of the second quarter of 2022, the Authority registered 10, 973 suppliers on the E-GP System, which is a 100 percent increase compared to the first quarter of this year in which 4, 909 suppliers were registered.
She attributed the high number of registered suppliers in the second quarter to the increase in Constituency Development Fund (CDF) allocation as more people were registering in order to take part in the works.
“The use of the E-GP System results in enhanced efficiency, accountability and integrity in public procurement. In the second quarter of 2022, a total of 1, 039 tenders from 145 Procuring Entities were published on the E-GP System. The most used procurement method was simplified bidding.”
“In the second quarter of 2022, 57 Procuring Entities were trained in the use of the E-GP System in Lusaka and Southern Provinces. The Authority trained 1, 604 suppliers in the quarter under review, 302 in Southern, North-Western and Central Provinces while 1, 032 suppliers were trained through the helpdesk situated in Lusaka and Kitwe,” Mrs. Chella said.
And Mrs. Chella cautioned suppliers who participate in public procurement to ensure that they fulfil their contractual obligations to avoid loss of business arising from suspensions and debarments.
“In the second quarter of 2022, 11 investigations were undertaken and the status is that six investigations were concluded and five are ongoing. Some of the issues that were under investigations include the importation of wooden poles by Zesco and non-performance of contractual obligations by suppliers. Five appeals were reviewed, four were concluded and one is ongoing.”
“A Company by the name of Marshal’s Electronic System was suspended from participating in public procurement for one year due to under performance of contractual obligations,” she stated.