Garden Compound Dreams: Empowerment Opportunities Without Borders

The government insists that empowerment opportunities are for all Zambians, regardless of their address or business location. Thabo Kawana defended awarding a CDF ambulance tender to a Garden compound pharmacy, calling it a testament to the government’s commitment to inclusion and non-discrimination in public procurement.

Lusaka, Nov. 29 – Government through Thabo Kawana, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Media, has addressed concerns raised by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) regarding the procurement and delivery of ambulances under the Constituency Development Fund (CDF). Reports had emerged suggesting that one of the companies contracted to supply half of the 156 ambulances was a pharmacy located in Lusaka’s Garden compound.

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In their days of opposition, the UPND lambasted the Patriotic Front for awarding a lucrative Ministry of Health contract to Honeybee Pharmaceutical Ltd, a modest SME tucked away in Kamwala. They decried it as a glaring conduit for corruption, accusing PF officials and cadres of funneling millions of public dollars through “a small retail store in Kamwala.” Yet, no sooner had they assumed power than they dove headlong into the very swamp they once condemned. It’s the ultimate case of the pot calling the kettle black – only this time, the pot turned out to be far darker than anyone imagined.

But Kawana has stated that the government does not discriminate against its citizens based on their place of residence or business operations. He described as disheartening the characterization of the tender as a scandal solely because it was partially awarded to a company based in Garden compound.

“We, therefore, find it disheartening that a tender to supply ambulances has been termed a scandal merely for being partially awarded to a company based in Garden compound. We find this to be an insult to the dignity of the Zambian masses living or conducting businesses in compounds and we distance ourselves from such an insult,” he said.

He emphasized that the government is committed to providing opportunities to all citizens, regardless of their location. Kawana explained that the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) Circular No. 1 of 2023 was issued last year to ensure that procurement under the CDF prioritized citizen bidders, thereby empowering local businesses.

“This decision was a practical response, by the Government, to the persistent calls by local suppliers for more business opportunities. We did this fully aware that some citizen bidders conduct businesses in compounds and villages,” he stated.

He added that the government’s objective was to channel resources to local suppliers, enabling infrastructure development in areas where it is most urgently needed. Kawana reiterated that all CDF procuring entities had been directed by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) to adhere to the ZPPA directive.

“By prioritising citizen bidders, we are not only fostering local entrepreneurship but also ensuring that the benefits of Government contracts are felt within our communities. This does not surely depend on the location of the business entity bidding for the tender,” he noted.

Kawana clarified that the Zambia Medicines and Medical Supplies Agency (ZAMMSA) was not seeking a manufacturer of ambulances but a supplier who could source the vehicles, negotiate favorable prices, and deliver them to the government. He argued there was no reason to exclude a company from Garden compound if it could meet these requirements.

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He also called on citizen suppliers to take their responsibilities seriously when given business opportunities. Suppliers, he urged, must comply with the Presidential directive to ensure that tenders are timely, competitively priced, and of high quality. This, he stressed, was critical for maintaining the integrity of the procurement process and ensuring that benefits reach the Zambian people.

Kawana warned that suppliers who fail to meet contractual obligations without reasonable justification would face legal consequences. “Government remains committed to transparency and accountability in all our dealings and will continue to work diligently to ensure that the CDF serves its intended purpose of uplifting our communities,” he concluded.

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