Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Kampamba Mulenga
Government has refuted claims by former Information and Broadcasting Services Minister Chishimba Kambwili that the US$273 million loan meant for the Digital Migration process has been misappropriated.
In a statement issued to QTV News, Chief Government Spokesperson Kampamba Mulenga says the digital migration project is being implemented under two separate contracts saying phase one of the project was contracted at a sum of US$ 9, 554, 124.49.
Ms Mulenga, who is also Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services Minister, says phase one entailed the erection of digital transmitters and other attendant digital transmission equipment along the line of rail from Senkobo near Livingstone to Chililabombwe.
She says on the amount involved in phase one, Government has made only two payments and that a down payment amounting to US$955,412.45 was paid in August, 2014 and a second payment amounting to US$1.060,969.94 was made to the contractor StarTimes Software Technologies Company Limited of China, in March, 2016.
She has disclosed that inspite of the successful completion of phase one two years ago, the contractor is still owed US$7.549,096.65.
She adds that the final operational certificate was rendered on 8th June, 2016 but still, no payment has been made due to the fiscal challenges facing the treasury.
Ms Mulenga explains that under phase two, the civil works component of the contract will entail construction of six (6) Television studios at all provincial centers namely;. Kasama, Chinsali, Mongu, Kabwe, Mansa and Chipata.
The Chief Government Spokesperson says for the record, it is important to state that the lender, EXIM Bank of China has NOT yet released a single cent of the US$ 273 million loan.
She says in fact, the Ministry of Finance is still handling issues to do with fulfillment of the conditions precedent to first disbursement.