April 13,
2023 1700 1700 
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK GOD FOR ALL OF US FOR HAVING KEPT US ALIVE THIS FAR. I THEREFORE REQUEST THAT WE OBSERVE A MINUTE OF SILENCE FOR THE DEPARTED MEMBERS THAT ZIPS HAS LOST THIS FAR IN THE YEAR 2023. THE DEPARTED MEMBERS APPLIED THEMSELVES TO THE VALUES OF THE INSTITUTE AND THROUGH THEM, THE PROFESSION BECAME A FOOT PRINT FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE ORGANISATIONS.
IN VIEW OF THE AFORESAID, THE COUNCIL IN JANUARY 2023 APPROVED K200,000.00 UNDER THE BUDGET TOWARDS THE BENEVOLENT FUND. HOWEVER, MODALITIES AND GUIDELINES FOR DISBURSEMENTS ARE STILL UNDER PREPARATION BY MANAGEMENT. ONCE FINALISED AND THE COUNCIL GRANTS APPROVAL BY MAY, THE SAID FUNDS WILL BE ACCESSED WHENEVER SUCH CHALLENGES FACE US.
IN ADDITION, THE COUNCIL HAS ALSO APPROVED A SMALL AMOUNT IN PRINCIPAL AS A SEED FOR LEGAL FUND REFERRED TO AS “RETAINERS FEE”. THE LEGAL FUND WILL LARGELY HELP OUR MEMBERS IN CASES OF VICTIMISATION FROM EMPLOYERS ESPECIALLY WHERE IT IS PROVED THAT INFLUENCE PEDDLING AND VICTIMISATION HAS TAKEN PLACE.
MAY I NOW DEAL WITH SUBSTANTIVE MATTERS THAT HAVE BEEN OUTSTANDING AND THAT REQUIRE FEEDBACK
1. PROCUREMENT GENERAL / CONTROLLER OF PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLIES
THE INSTITUTE HAS CONTINUED TO ENGAGE GOVERNMENT ON THE CREATION OF THIS OFFICE. TO THIS END, GOVERNMENT IS ON RECORD THROUGH THE OFFICE OF THE PERMANENT SECRETARY MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT DIVISION (MDD AT CABINET OFFICE AS DESIGNATED THROUGH SECRETARY TO CABINET). GOVERNMENT HAS COMITTED TO IMPLEMENT OR ACTUALISE THE SAID OFFICE NEXT YEAR. IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE TO ACTUALISE THE SAID OFFICE DUE TO BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS IN THIS YEAR’S BUDGET, HOWEVER MDD IN LIAISON WITH MINISTRY OF FINANCE WILL ENSURE THAT THE SAID OFFICE IS BUDGETED FOR ACCORDINGLY IN NEXT YEARS BUDGET
2. ALIGNMENT OF STORES FUNCTION
GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO COMMITTED TO ENSURE THAT STORES FUNCTION REVERTS TO THE PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLIES FUNCTION ON CONDITION THAT ZIPS PROVIDES A SOLID RESPONSE THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THERE SHALL BE NO LONGER AUDIT QUERIES. TO THIS END, THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE OFFICE OF THE ACCOUNTANT GENERAL WILL PROVIDE US WITH DETAILS. WE SHALL CONTINUE TO ENGAGE THEM.
3. ZIPS ACT REVIEW
THE REVIEW OF THE ACT IS AT AN ADVANCED STAGE. THE VALIDATION WORKSHOP WAS HELD ON 17TH MARCH 2023 AT MULUNGUSHI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE WITH VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS AND THE DRAFT BILL IS NOW IN PLACE.
ZIPS HAS SINCE SUBMITTED BOTH THE DRAFT CABINET MEMO AND THE DRAFT BILL TO MOFP. A MEETING WAS HELD WITH THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE OFFICIALS REGARDING THE CABINET MEMO. WE SHALL CONTINUE TO ENGAGE THEM TO EXPEDITE THE MATTER.
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4. REVIEW OF THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT ACT –
THE GOVERNMENT OF ZAMBIA IS REVIEWING THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT ACT AND IN THIS LIGHT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY SOLICITED ZIPS INPUT INTO THE PROCESS.
ZIPS HAS SINCE SUBMITTED ITS INPUT ON THE AFOREMENTIONED MATTER TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. THIS WAS DONE IN FEBRUARY, 2023. THE SUBMISSIONS WERE MADE TO THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE ON NATIONAL ECONOMY, TRADE AND LABOUR MATTER ON MATTERS RELATING TO PUBLIC PROCUREMENT IN ZAMBIA. REPORT ON REVIEW OF CDF FUNDS DISBURSEMENTS AND PROJECT EFFICIENCY HAS ALSO BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE.
5. MEMBER AND STUDENT INFORMATION MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
THE INSTITUTE HAS ENGAGED A VENDOR TO DEVELOP THE SYSTEM WHICH WILL GREATLY IMPROVE SERVICE DELIVERY TO THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP. DEVELOPMENT OF THE SYSTEM IS AT AN ADVANCED STAGE AS ITS ALMOST 95 % COMPLETE WITH RELEVANT BANKS BEING LINKED TO THE PORTAL. THIS IS A DIGITALISED SYSTEM THAT WILL ENABLE MEMBERS TO GET INFORMATION OR PRINT THE CERTIFICATES UPON RENEWAL AND PAYMENT IN REAL TIME. IT IS ENVISAGED THAT THE SYSTEM SHALL BE FUNCTIONAL BY END OF APRIL, 2023 AS IT IS NOW BEING TESTED. THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE SAME SHALL BE ANNOUNCED SOON. THUS, THE ISSUE OF DELAYED ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES WILL SOON BE BEHIND US.
6. NOLUMU TRAINING WORKSHOP
THE INSTITUTE SUCCESSFULLY HELD THE NORTHERN REGION TRAINING WORKSHOP IN SAMFYA ON 30TH AND 31ST MARCH, 2023. THIS IS IN LINE WITH ITS MANDATE TO UPHOLD THE STANDARDS OF PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT IN THE COUNTRY.
7. MEDIA ENGAGEMENTS
ONLY THE PRESIDENT OF ZIPS WILL ENGAGE WITH THE MEDIA ON POLICY MATTERS AND/OR THE REGISTRAR ON OPERATIONAL MATTERS OR AS DESIGNATED. THIS IS EARMARKED TO HELP IN BRINGING ORDER AND DECORUM TO THE INSTITUTE. A MEMBER WHO WISHES TO ENGAGE THE MEDIA SHOULD PREFERABLY GET CLEARANCE FROM THE OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR. THIS HAS BEEN FOUND NECESSARY TO INSTIL ORDER, DISCIPLINE AND DECORUM TO THE PROFESSION AND AS SUCH FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL BE MET WITH NECESSARY DISCIPLINARY ACTION
8. STRATEGIC PLAN AND ACHIEVEMENTS.
Ø APPOINTMENT OF ALL CHAPTER LEADERS HAS BEEN DONE IN ALL THE TEN PROVINCES OF ZAMBIA.
Ø TITLE DEED FOR PROCUREMENT OF ZIPS OFFICE IS NOW OUT AND MAINTENANCE OF THE BUILDING WILL ALSO COMMENCE ACCORDINGLY AND THE LAUNCH WILL TAKE PLACE SOON).
Ø SETTING UP OF THE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE
THE RESEARCH OFFICER WILL REPORT FOR WORK BEFORE THE END OF APRIL 2023 AS THE INTERVIEWS WERE ALREADY DONE. THE BOARD FOR THE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE IS ALREADY IN PLACE HEADED BY DR JONES KALYONGWE.
9. DISCIPLINE AND DECORUM OF THE INSTITUTION
IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT DISCIPLINE AND DECORUM IS UPHELD BY ALL MEMBERS IN LINE WITH THE PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND COMMUNICATION GUIDE LINES: -
A. ALL MEMBERS ARE REQUESTED TO AVOID HATE SPEECH THAT INJURES MEMBERS OF ZIPS AND THE STAFF MEMBERS ON ALL BLOGS/ SOCIAL MEDIA.
B. ALL MEMBER S ARE REMINDED TO WORK AND CONTRIBUTE TO ZIPS WITH UNITY OF PURPOSE AND THUS NEED FOR RESPECT FOR SENIOR MEMBERS OF ZIPS, OTHER MEMBERS, STUDENTS AND INDEED MEMBERS OF STAFF.
IN VIEW OF THE ABOVE, THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE HAS BEEN DIRECTED TO MONITOR ALL BLOGS TOGETHER WITH THE REGISTRAR’S OFFICE, THE CHAPTERS CHAIRPERSONS AND THAT THEY SHOULD CAUTION THE OFFENDERS AND WILL REMOVE THOSE WHO SEND HATE MESSAGE ON THE BLOGS OR SOCIAL MEDIA AND THAT THE DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEES SHOULD SANCTION ERRING MEMBERS ACCORDINGLY.
10. CONCLUDING REMARKS
IN ADDITION, ALL MEMBERS OF ZIPS ARE REMINDED TO READ THEIR PROFESSIONAL ETHICS AND OATH OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE INSTITUTE AND THE COUNTRY. THUS WE ARE ALL REMINDED TO SERVE THE PROFESSION AND THE COUNTRY WITH INTEGRITY, HONEST AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH OUR PROFESSIONAL ETHICS. ABOVE ALL TO WORK WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF THE LAND AND SERVE THE COUNTRY DILIGENTLY AS PROCUREMENT IS A SERVICE AND A CALLING. LET US ALL BE HUMBLE IN OUR SERVICE DELIVERY TO OUR EMPLOYERS.
THE NEED FOR UNITY OF PURPOSE IS KEY FOR THE INSTITUTION AND WE NEED TO GIVE ZIPS A CORPORATE IMAGE.
IF YOU HAVE A GOOD IDEA, SEND IT TO SECRETARIAT OR COUNCIL, WE WILL CONSIDER IT IF, AND WHERE ACCEPTED ALIGN WITH THE VISION OF ZIPS. PERSONAL AGENDA BASED ON PERSONAL INTEREST SHOULD NOT TAKE PRECEDENCE OVER ZIPS
IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT ALL MEMBERS OF ZIPS CONFORM TO THE CODE OF ETHICS AND OPERATE WITHIN THE UMBRELLA OF THE LAW IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER.
March 22,
2022 4394 4394
We are pleased to inform you that the ZIPS Diploma in Procurement and Supplies is now fully registered with the Zambia Qualification Authority having met all the requirements for registration and accreditation on the Zambia Qualification Framework (ZQF) as follows;
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SN
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Qualification Name
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Level on ZQF
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Qualification Type
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Diploma in Procurement and Supplies
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6
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Diploma
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The Institution is working on signing the MOUs with Higher learning Universities for smooth less progression into the degree programmes.
To our prospecting students, you are therefore encouraged to apply for the ZIPS Diploma in Procurement and Supplies with any of our accredited learning providers to mark the beginning of your journey in Supply Chain Management.
This qualification takes you all the way on your professional journey to becoming MZIPS. and will help you make an impact in your career. The ZIPS qualification is recognised by employers for producing competent and confident procurement and supply professionals, capable of guiding and leading their organisations to sustainable success.
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Original issued and signed by
Lawrence Mpapwa Sambwa
Registrar
March 17,
2022 2675 2675
16th March 2022,
ZIPS President Fellow Robert Tembo led a team comprising of Council Secretary, Mr. Lennox Chiluwa, National Treasurer, Mr. Ernest Washen Nyambe, Registrar, Mr. Lawrence M Sambwa, and The Membership & Compliance Manager Ms. Mary Banda, in signing the book of condolences and comforting the former First Lady Madam Thandiwe Banda and the family. In his message to the Banda family, President Tembo wrote:
“On behalf of the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply, ZIPS Council Management and staff, and indeed on my own behalf, we wish the family of our late beloved President Rupiah Bwezani Banda Gods comfort and celebrate his life”.
May the soul of President Banda Rest in Peace.
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Original issued and signed by
Lawrence M Sambwa
Registrar
March 17,
2022 2563 2563
16th March 2022,
ZIPS President Fellow Robert Tembo led a team comprising of Council Secretary, Mr. Lennox Chiluwa, National Treasurer, Mr. Ernest Washen Nyambe, Registrar, Mr. Lawrence M Sambwa, and The Membership & Compliance Manager Ms. Mary Banda, in signing the book of condolences and comforting the former First Lady Madam Thandiwe Banda and the family. In his message to the Banda family, President Tembo wrote:
“On behalf of the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply, ZIPS Council Management and staff, and indeed on my own behalf, we wish the family of our late beloved President Rupiah Bwezani Banda Gods comfort and celebrate his life”.
May the soul of President Banda Rest in Peace.
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Original issued and signed by
Lawrence M Sambwa
Registrar
March 15,
2022 2435 2435
On behalf of the Council, Management and Members of the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply (ZIPS), I wish to offer our deepest condolences on the passing of former President Mr Rupiah Bwezani Banda.
Late President Banda steadfastly steered our nation with wisdom and foresight. He will always remain in the hearts of procurement professionals.
We honour his legacy and mourn his loss alongside his family, friends, the people of Zambia and the rest of the world.
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Original issued and signed by
Fellow Robert Tembo
President – ZIPS