Milupi challenges ZIPS over inflated prices

By SIMON MUNTEMBA INFRASTRUCTURE, Housing and Urban Development Minister, Charles Milupi has challenged the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply (ZIPS) to publically comment on procurement processes that are widely suspected to be illegal. Mr Milupi said in the recent past, the country had witnessed numerous procurement processes characterised with anomalies. He said it has been strange that the ZIPS executive had not publically condemned those illegalities. He said ZIPS as a professional body, should comment on all critical procurement matters of national interest because their members were directly involved. According to the ministry public relations officer Jeff Banda, the minister was speaking yesterday when he met the ZIPS executive who was led by President Chibwe Mwelwa. “This country has in the recent past witnessed alarming procurement processes such as the purchase of fire tenders at USD1,000,000 by the Ministry of Local Government and the procurement of costly road contracts. Briefing the minister, Mr Mwelwa said the new Act of the institute had taken care of all issues which were contributing to high prices in the procurement of goods, works, and services.