PRESIDENT LUNGU COUNSELS PROCUREMENT PRACTITIONERS
Lusaka, (Wednesday, 2nd September,2020) ---- His Excellency, Dr Edgar Chagwa
Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia has appealed to public procurement practitioners to ensure that Government gets value for money on the goods and services procured.
The President notes that Government and other spending agencies procure goods and services in large quantities hence the need for those responsible for procurement to exercise professionalism and responsibility when expending public funds.
President Lungu said this when he met members of the executive of the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply (ZIPS) during a courtesy call on him at State House on Wednesday.
"The nation is at a critical moment faced with inadequate funding in the midst of myriad competing needs hence the need for prudent public procurement in order for Government to attain the 7th national development plan and other development targets. There is need for both public and private procurement practitioners to adhere to prudent procurement practice, " said the President.
The President assured that Government is committed to ensuring that challenges in procurement are dealt with accordingly.
And ZIPS President Chibwe Mwelwa acknowledged the important role public and private procurement plays in national development.
"In developing countries public procurement contributes immensely to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Retailing and wholesaling contributes about 30% to GDP while in a manufacturing plant and the mining sector, the production costs are controlled by the procurement function, "said Mr Mwelwa.
The ZIPS president recalled that Government had announced wide ranging austerity measures with His Excellency the President emphasising on adherence to the measures.
Mr Mwelwa said the implementation and success of the Austerity measures will depend heavily on the procurement process. "Its failure or success depends on the procurement function; as they buy goods and services for Government to function," he said.
Further, Mr Mwelwa said the call by His Excellency the President on the "Value for money" and "having more for less" was directed to the procurement and stores professionals in the nation.
"The attainment of this great aspiration will not fully be realised without the fervent mentioning of the procurement process," he said.
He called for serious checking of procurement activities in all private manufacturing plants including, the mining companies to avert the possible loss of taxes by Government.
Mr Mwelwa proposed to the President to appoint a Permanent Secretary to be In Charge of Procurement as this will anchor the procurement function in Government and will ensure that the public and private sectors add value, and the nation gets value for money.
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Issued by:
ISAAC CHIPAMPE
FOR/SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE PRESIDENT
(PRESS AND PUBLIC RELATIONS)
STATE HOUSE
.