March 11,
2022 3024 3024
Government has implored the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply (ZIPS) to champion the fight against corruption in the private sector.
Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane has since urged ZIPS and its members to inculcate honest morals among its purchasing officers.
Speaking during the launch of the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply - ZIPS Strategic Plan 2022-2026 in Lusaka on Friday, Dr Musokotwane also urged private sector players in the purchasing process to work with government to ensure that the conduct of inflating prices is curtailed.
At the same event, ZIPS President Fellow Robert Tembo said the launch of the strategic plan has come at the right time, as it has enabled them to realign their plans to focus on the triggers of effective supply chain in order to add value to the economy and the aspirations of the government.
Mr Tembo added that ZIPS is therefore committed to transforming the procurement and supply function and improve its reputation marred with corruption allegations, overpricing among others as evidenced by the launch of strategic plan.
March 11,
2022 2439 2439
Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply (ZIPS) joins the rest of the nation in celebrating all the women and girls during the 2022 International Women’s Day under the Theme: ‘Gender Equality Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow’.
The President, Council, Management, and the entire ZIPS Family celebrates and honors all the women of our profession for your immense contribution both at national and organisation level in various capacities and portfolios.
Continue soaring high and know that you make ZIPS Beautiful.
Issued on behalf of the ZIPS President, Council, Management and General Membership.
#ZIPSWOMEN
#ZIPSPRIDE
#WOMENINCLUSIVENESS.
March 11,
2022 2456 2456
On Wednesday 19th January 2022, The ZIPS President Fellow Robert Tembo led the ZIPS Executive Committee that included the Council Secretary Mr Lennox Chiluwa, the Vice Council Secretary, Ms Viola Zulu, and the Registrar Mr Lawrence M Sambwa in paying a courtesy call on the Local Government and Rural Development Permanent Secretaries, Messrs. Wisdom Bwalya in charge of Technical Services and Mambo Hamaundu in charge of Administration. The President took advantage of the fruitful meeting to bring out a number of concerns that the procurement fraternity was encountering in the line ministry.
The ZIPS Council will continue to engage Government and other key stakeholders on matters that affect Supply Chain Management in the Nation
Issued by ZIPS Secretariat
Lawrence M Sambwa
Registrar
1st February 2022
March 11,
2022 2613 2613
Dear Members
On Behalf of the Council, Management, and subcommittees I want to draw your attention to the week of love, it is Valentine’s Day. Valentines has become a part of our life which stems from St Valentine’s Day, an annual festival that comes every year on 14th February to celebrate romantic love, friendship, and admiration.
As an institute in tandem with the Government’s goal to foster the building of strong family relationships, we wish call on every one of you to send messages of love and affection to your partners, families, and friends.
Further, we would like to extend our appreciation to you, our valued members on this Valentine’s Day. There can never be a better day than today to express how much we value the trust you put into our leadership and send you warm wishes on this sentimental day.
Today we’re celebrating you. Thank you for being such awesome members, we surely wouldn’t be where we are without you. Happy Valentine’s Day!
On Behalf of the ZIPS Council and Management
Fellow Robert Tembo
ZIPS President
March 23,
2020 4450 4450
ZIPS MEETS THE ACCOUNTANT GENERAL
ZIPS President Mr. Chibwe D Mwelwa led a team from ZIPS comprising the Council Secretary, Mr. Daniel Kabamba, the National Treasurer, Ms Mary Banda, the Registrar, Mr Henry Chanda, and former Council Member Mr. Friday Mumba, in paying a courtesy call on the Accountant General, Mr. Kennedy Musonda on Thursday, 30th January 2020. The meeting was very fruitful and addressed the following issues:
1.0 CHALLENGES THAT THE PROCUREMENT FUNCTION EXPERIENCES IN ZAMBIA
Lack of legitimate power in the procurement process: Procurement personnel are lowly positioned in Government and private sector. It was sadly noted that the highest position one has in Government is Head of Procurement which is at Assistant Director Level. This issue is receiving unprecedented support from the Office of the Secretary to the Cabinet.
2.0 LACK OF ANCHOR OF PROCUREMENT FUNCTION IN GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS
Procurement does not have an anchor in Government as far as ZIPS is concerned and that results in a lot of challenges including:
- Though members report to the Controlling Officer, the procurement function reports to no one professionally (like the Accountants have the Accountant General)
- Members do not have any support or protection and can be easily be moved at will by PSMD
- Trained personnel are being removed without consideration
- The procurement department is susceptible to manipulation as the function has no support in Government Operations
- The Accountant General has pledged to be an ambassador for ZIPS in order to push this agenda
3.0 CREATION OF THE OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT GENERAL/CONTROLLER
The creation of this position as far as ZIPS is concerned is long overdue. Its absence has rendered in the procurement function incapable of taking full responsibility and accountability in Government Procurement. The benefits to be reaslised from the creation of this position are:
- The Procurement General will be spokesperson on all government procurement activities which in turn will divert the finger pointing that politicians, including the President are subject to
- As the anchor for Government procurement, the position will be at PS level (the same level as the Accountant General) and will therefore be at the appropriate level to deal with all challenges in Government procurement, including the procurement related queries that consistently appear in the Auditor General’s Report
Mr. Kennedy Musonda observed that it was unfortunate that the procurement function had no anchor in government and that this matter needed to be addressed with the urgency it deserved. He committed to working with other government wings in lobbying for this cause. He stated that the creation of the Office of Procurement Controller will streamline Supply Chain Management in government and in the nation at large.
4. ALIGNMENT OF STORES FUNCTION TO ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT
The Accountant General acknowledged receipt of the letter the Institute wrote to the Ministry of Finance and his office in regards to the circular No 8 of 2019 (Alignment of Public Stores Management of the Public Finance Management Act No 1 of 2008).
The Institute submitted that the circular issued has caused a lot of confusion in the profession because stores officers were instructed to report to accounts departments instead of the PSU. If these changes in the stores reporting structure are not managed, this may have the opposite effect than that intended.
Mr. Kennedy Musonda assured ZIPS that his office, working with the Ministry of Finance has taken this matter seriously. He further stated that his office will constitute a team that will study and review the submission made by ZIPS and will officially respond to the Institute in writing.
5. AUDITOR GENERAL’S REPORT
The Accountant General has observed that more than 90% of queries in the auditor’s report were attributable to procurement.
In responding to the concern, the ZIPS President stated that the Institute has taken deliberate steps to address this matter which include holding workshops and seminars held in Chapters. The President observed that some of the personnel employed in stores departments in government ministries were not qualified and not members of the Institute hence the increase in audit queries.
Mr Mwelwa said that ZIPS has recommended to government the need to have a procurement operations manual which must be generated with auditor’s requirements so that Procurement professionals are aware of what the auditors were looking for. He further stated that ZIPS has written to Auditor General’s office so that disciplinary proceedings can be instituted against erring members of ZIPS.
The Accountant General has said that his office will engage the Institute on queries from the Auditor General’s Report in order to obtain ZIPS’ recommendations. He further mentioned that Government appreciates ZIPS input in the ZPPA Act and further stated that the submission by the Institute has been incorporated in the Act.
6.0 ZIPS REGULATIONS
The Accountant General Informed the ZIPS delegation that the regulations are with the ministry of Justice and that his office was doing everything possible to have them finalized.
Conclusion
The Accountant General was elated with the strides and development ZIPS was undertaking to ensure that the profession continued to carry out its mandate and function. He further encouraged the Institute to continue being proactive so as to ensure that Procurement personnel continues to uphold ethical standards and those who are frustrating governments' efforts should be put on the bench.
Mr. Kenneth Musonda has pledged government support to ZIPS as the Institute carries out its mandate.
The ZIPS president reminded the Accountant General austerity measures cannot be achieved if the procurement function is not brought on board because procurement officers are the ones who commit to spending.
Issued by ZIPS Secretariat
5th February 2020
Learn. Serve. Prosper