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The Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) has called for enhanced oversight and monitoring of procurement processes in the country.
ZPPA Director General, Idah C. Chella, said public procurement played a vital role in driving national development, accounting for approximately 15 percent of Zambia’s Gross Domestic Product.
Chella said this in Lusaka on Tuesday in a statement read on her behalf by ZPPA Manager for Research and Advisory, Beenzu Chilukutu, during the capacity building workshop organised by the Consumer Unity Trust Society (CUTS) and launch of the Public Procurement project.
She noted that the procurement process in Zambia was prone to various risks, including corruption, conflicts of interest and inefficient resource utilisation.
“Despite legislative efforts such as the enactment of the Public Procurement Act number 8 of 2020, which repealed and replaced the ZPPA Act of 2008 and investment in Information Technology infrastructure, challenges persist in the procurement process” Chella said.
“Despite legislative efforts such as the enactment of the Public Procurement Act number 8 of 2020, which repealed and replaced the ZPPA of 2008 and investment in Information Technology infrastructure, challenges persist,” Chella said.
She stated that this had over the years been highlighted in reports by the Auditor-General and the Financial Intelligence Centre .
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Chella added that the procurement irregulaties and mismanagement underscored the urgency of enhancing oversight and transparency in the procurement process.
“Effective public procurement not only ensures value for money but also fosters economic growth and investment by bolstering confidence in the integrity of national infrastructure projects,” she said.
Chella further commended CUTS ans GIZ for their endeavors in addressing vulnerabilities within Zambia’s procurement system, particularly in the education sector.
She called for the strengthening of coordination among stakeholders, including Civil Society Organisations, Academia and government agencies was pivotal in enhancing Advocacy and oversight in procurement processes.
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