Tendersinfo keep you informed about the latest events in the national and international Procurement Industry. Procurement News provides in-depth coverage of the procurement industry, including contract awards, contract additions, new contract wins, mergers and acquisitions. Tendersinfo through its tender news section provides an update on all domestic and global tendering opportunities, invitation to bid & trade leads.
Zambia: Zambians Will Rise If Govt Gives Contract to LITASCO
Publish Date : 13-Jan-2010
Zambians will rise if the government dubiously gives the crude oil supply contract to LITASCO, UPND president threatened. And UPND president said President Rupiah Banda and his wolves know that he is leaving the Presidency in 2011 so his agenda is to make enough money from dubious contracts like the one earmarked to be given to Russia\'s LITASCO.
The government, through energy minister Kenneth Konga, availed the original tender document for crude oil to LITASCO official Leon Hayward so that the firm could suggest some changes to the document in favour of the firm and disadvantage competitors. Hichilema, in a telephone interview from Lukulu in Western Province, said Konga\'s actions were supported by President Banda. Hichilema said Zambia was a rich country but was managed by people that were too corrupt and mediocre. He said the livelihood situation in various parts of Zambia was desperate.
Last week, well-placed government sources revealed to The Post that the government, through Konga availed the original tender document to LITASCO through Hayward for the firm to suggest some changes in its favour and disadvantage competitors. But when contacted for comment, Konga denied any linkage to LITASCO although insiders said he had been working closely with Hayward from June last year when a Zambian businessman introduced LITASCO to President Banda at State House.
Sources revealed that Konga and Hayward met on several occasions in Johannesburg and Lusaka to discuss the oil procurement deal. A comparison between the original tender document and the revised one showed that the Ministry of Energy and Water Development and the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) made changes on all the points that Hayward disapproved. When contacted from Dubai, Hayward declined to comment on the revelations. Responding to a press query, Konga stated that he had no role in the tender process other than giving policy guidance at the Ministry of Energy and Water Development.
