Failure by local contractors to get contracts through bidding saddens President Lungu

President Edgar Chagwa Lungu speaks during the ceremonial opening of the 2nd Session of the 12th National Assembly in Lusaka on Friday, September 15,2017. PICTURE BY SALIM HENRY/STATE HOUSE ©2017

Republican President Edgar Lungu has expressed saddened by the failure by most Zambian Contractors to get contracts through competitive bidding.

President Lungu says the failure by local contractors to get these contracts is attributed to their failure to prepare tender documents.

In a speech read on his behalf by Minister of Finance Margaret Mwanakatwe at the African Procurement and Enterprise Development Summit of the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply in Lusaka, President Lungu has since advised local contractors to take advantage of the three day summit and gain expertise and advice on how to prepare winning tenders and understand how contracts are managed.

Meanwhile President Lungu has implored Procurement professionals in the country to add significant value to the procurement process.

President Lungu has also urged procurement experts to identify projects that have been funded through debt and look for opportunities where they can be managed through Private Public Partnership (PPP).

Meanwhile Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply (ZIPS) president, Chibwe Mwelwa has called on procurement and stores professionals in Zambia to remain resolute in conducting all the procurements and store functions in a transparent, efficient, economic and corrupt free environment.

Mr. Mwelwa is hopeful that after the summit, the participants will attach value for money in the procurement process.

He has appealed to government to consider elevating the function of procurement to the highest possible rank in government.

The first Africa procurement and enterprise summit has drawn participants from Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe South Africa and Uganda.