Q FM Africa's Modern Radio
Former youth and sport minister Emmanuel Mulenga has denied allegations that he was involved in the fraudulent procurement of the fuel tankers meant for youth empowerment.
And Mr Mulenga says former President Edgar Lungu did not donate the tankers to the youth, but simply launched the empowerment programme.
The ministry of youth and sport has been cited in the Auditor General’s Report for
uncompetitive procurement of fuel tankers where it sought for
authority from the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) to
direct bid Kinglong Motors Limited, a subsidiary of Higher Bus Limited
for the supply of 50 mechanical horses and fuel tankers at a cost of
US$7,946,000.
But the former minister who appeared before the Public Accounts Committee today to clear his name and that of former President Edgar Lungu who has been implicated in the award of the contract to Kinglong Motors explained that Government had communication systems in place which he religiously followed.
He told the committee that former President Lungu did not promise any donation during the youth empowerment launch on August 15, 2020, but empowered four youth groups with fuel tankers which they are currently still paying for.
Mr Mulenga says the ministry’s former Youth Director, Tiza Nkumbula misled the committee when she appeared during the last sitting.
He says Mrs Nkumbula was in fact moved from the ministry for alleged financial mismanagement and stealing about K715,000 when she purportedly claimed she was conducting workshops when in fact not.
But the committee members put it to the former minister that his submission was not collaborating with the documents available, therefore making it difficult for the committee to neither understand nor believe what he was saying and has submitted.
PAC Chairperson Warren Mwambazi put it to Mr Mulenga that he was simply trying to play ignorant and clear his name over the procurement of tankers.