October 9,
2017 5079 5079 
ZIPS PRESIDENT IMPLORES ORGANISATIONS TO ALLOW PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLY CHAIN PROFESSIONS TO EXECUTE THEIR MANDATE WITHOUT INTERFERENCE
Zambia Institute of Purchasing Supply president Mr Chibwe reminded all organisations in Zambia to allow the procurement and supply professionals execute their mandate without interference from any one, Mr Mwelwa said ZIPS has come a long way and the current ZIPS executive has embarked on one of the most ambitious, transformative agenda in redefining the critical role of procurement and supply in the economic management and dispensation within both private and public organisations. He further, warned any government wing or private entities that unduly interfere with the procurement process or allow the procurement function to be undertaken by unlicensed personnel, that they will be taken to task in line with the provisions and dictates of ZIPS Act.
Mr Mwelwa said ZIPS was doing everything possible to ensure that organisation adhere to the law. Commenting on the just ended compliance inspection which targeted the mines in Copperbelt and North Western provinces, Mr Mwelwa said the Institute has a huge challenge in most of the Mining companies in Zambia, most of the senior members of supply chain are not Procurement and Supply Professionals. He said that the Institute will not rest and until this trend is reversed. He added that the blatant violation by some Mining Houses of the Zambian laws particularly as it relates to the employment of trained professionals in line with the ZIPS Act No. 15 of 2003, leaves a lot to de desired.
Mr Mwelwa said that this aspect is very critical for the development of the Zambian economy, “the mine still contributes heavily to architecture of Zambian GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and if their supply chain activities, which accounts to almost 70% of the cost of sales of copper is run by unqualified personnel, then we have a mammoth challenge in the attainment of economic independence” he said
The Institute takes this opportunity to warn and advise the mining companies and other privately owned companies on the Copperbelt, who are breaking the law with impunity to immediately stop and replace all individuals working in the in purchasing and supply function with people who qualified and certified by ZIPS”.
He mentioned that the Institute has given a deadline of 31st March, 2018 to ensure the dictates of the provisions of the ZIPS Act are adhered to. “We trust that this is enough time to manage the transition and the ZIPS is ready to work with any mining firms in managing this process.
October 9,
2017 12709 12709
HIGHLIGHTS FROM ZIPS 9TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) HELD AT SHERBOURNE HOTEL, KITWE, ON FRIDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER 2017
The Zambia institute of Purchasing and Supply (ZIPS) held its 9th Annual General meeting which took place on Friday 29th September 2017 at Sherborne Hotel in Kitwe. The AGM Is the supreme decision making organ in the ZIPS structure and had an attendance of more than 130 delegates out 2018 paid up members. Delegates included Heads of Procurement, Procurement Directors,
Procurement officers from Lusaka, Copperbelt, Luapula, Northern, Southern, Central , North Werstern, Muchinga and Eastern Provinces with the majority coming from Lusaka and copperbelt province. Organisations present included
Chibuluma Mines, Mopani Copper Mines,Konkola Copper Mines, Lumwana Copper
Mine, Road Transport and Safety Agency(RTSA), Law Association of Zambia, Zambia
Revenue Authority, Kagem Mines, NATSAVE, Copperbelt University, Atlas Copco, Examination Council of Zambia among, Civil Aviation Authority, ZIPRO Zambia, Lubambe Mines, Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc, ZISC LIFE, Independent Broadcasting Authority ZESCO, IDENI Petroleum, TEVETA. The attendance register can be found on the ZIPS website under the 9th AGM Folder.
The following are highlights from the AGM:
1. CHANGES TO THE ACT
The ZIPS Council moved the following changes to the ZIPS Act No 15 of 2013 which the AGM approved
a. Changes to Council Composition and Titles i. Recommended Changes in Composition
Section 5(2) of the ZIPS Act states that. ‘The ZIPS Council shall consist of the following members, the President, the Vice President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and the Vice Secretary’ the following changes were recommended and approved by the AGM
• Removal of position of Vice Secretary
• Introduction of another position for Vice President and introduction positions of Vice President North (for Northern
Region) and Vice President South (for Southern Region) ii. Recommended Change in Title
Part 1 2 Cap 119 of the Act provides interpretation of ‘Registrar’
• Replace title of Registrar with Executive Director
b. Membership
Part IV Section 13 (C) of the ZIPS Act states, ‘a person with first degree qualifies to apply for membership if they have performed executive or advisory duties related to purchasing and supply chain management at a senior level for a at least 5 years.’
i. Recommended Change
Reduce number of years to attain membership from five to three years
c. Tenure of Office for Elected Council Members
Section 5(2) 2.1 of the Act states that ‘A member shall hold office for a period of two years and may be re-elected for a further term of two years
i. Recommended Change
Extend the tenure of office to three years from two years
2. ELECTIONS
Following the regularisation of the revised Council composition by the AGM of the Council composition and structure elections were held to fill the position of Vice President South which became vacant when the incumbent Mr Francis
Kunda was appointed Executive Director on 7th December 2017
Three candidates as per below expressed interest in the position
i. Mrs Beatrice Mbewe, MCIPS, Head of Procurement - Ndola Provincial
Administration
ii. Mr James Mwaba, MCIPS, Procurement Manager - Road Transport and
Safety Agency iii. Mr Gift Zulu, MCIPS Purchasing And Supply Manager - Mulungushi University Elections were conducted in a free and fair manner and saw Mr James Mwaba emerge as victor. Results were as follows:
i. Mr James Mwaba – 18
ii. Mrs Beatrice Mbewe – 17
iii. Mr Gift Zulu – 8
A total of 45 votes were cast and 2 votes were spoilt
Mr James Mwaba is therefore the new Vice President South and will serve till the next elections in 2018
The full updated list of Council Members can be found on the ZIPS website
3. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PRESIDENT’S SPEECH
The full text of the President’s speech can be found on the website and below are highlights of the speech
A. ZIPS IMPLORES ORGANISATIONS TO ALLOW PROCUREMENT AND SUPPLY
CHAIN PROFESSIONS TO EXECUTE THEIR MANDATE WITHOUT INTERFERENCE
Zambia Institute of Purchasing Supply president Mr Chibwe reminded all organisations in Zambia to allow the procurement and supply professionals execute their mandate without interference from any one, Mr Mwelwa said ZIPS has come a long way and the current ZIPS executive has embarked on one of the most ambitious, transformative agenda in redefining the critical role of procurement and supply in the economic management and dispensation within both private and public organisations. He further, warned any government wing or private entities that unduly interfere with the procurement process or allow the procurement function to be undertaken by unlicensed personnel, that they will be taken to task in line with the provisions and dictates of ZIPS Act.
Mr Mwelwa said ZIPS was doing everything possible to ensure that organisation adhere to the law. Commenting on the just ended compliance inspection which targeted the mines in Copperbelt and North Western provinces, Mr Mwelwa said the Institute has a huge challenge in most of the Mining companies in Zambia, most of the senior members of supply chain are not Procurement and Supply Professionals. He said that the Institute will not rest and until this trend is reversed. He added that the blatant violation by some Mining Houses of the Zambian laws particularly as it relates to the employment of trained professionals in line with the ZIPS Act No. 15 of 2003, leaves a lot to de desired.
Mr Mwelwa said that this aspect is very critical for the development of the
Zambian economy, “the mine still contributes heavily to architecture of Zambian GDP (Gross Domestic Product) and if their supply chain activities, which accounts to almost 70% of the cost of sales of copper is run by unqualified personnel, then we have a mammoth challenge in the attainment of economic independence” he said
The Institute takes this opportunity to warn and advise the mining companies and other privately owned companies on the Copperbelt, who are breaking the law with impunity to immediately stop and replace all individuals working in the in purchasing and supply function with people who qualified and certified by ZIPS”.
He mentioned that the Institute has given a deadline of 31st March, 2018 to ensure the dictates of the provisions of the ZIPS Act are adhered to. “We trust that this is enough time to manage the transition and the ZIPS is ready to work with any mining firms in managing this process.
B. ZIPS PRESIDENT CALLS MEMBERS TO REMAIN TRANSPARENT AND CORRUPT FREE
The Supply Chain Profession is the Holy Grail to the well-being of any organisation or economy of any country in the world. The continued relevance and nobility of the work that supply chain management professionals do is premised on continued adherence to its core values of Integrity, Probity and Service.
Mr Chibwe made a clarion call to all procurement and supply professionals in Zambia to remain resolute in conducting all the Procurements and Supply functions in a transparent, efficient, economic and corrupt free environment so to guarantee value for money.
“I also take this opportunity to warn all erring members of our profession who are engaging themselves in Fraudulent and Corruption practices that the Institute will not take kindly to any erring member of this profession. As the matter of fact, the Institute stands ready to cooperate with law enforcers in helping to curb the prevalence of Fraud and Corruption cases in the Procurement Process” said ZIPS president Mr Chibwe Mwelwa.
He advised any employing entity to report any suspected corrupt purchasing and supply personnel to the Institute and such members will be dealt with within the provisions of the ZIPS Act, which may include the withdrawal of the practicing license, among other sanctions provided for in the Governing Act. Mr Mwelwa said that ZIPS is calling upon all purchasing and supply professionals to be patriotic, procure prudently and remain true to the dictates of the Code of Conduct requirements of the profession, in order to enthuse value addition in the procurement process.