By Merlyn Mwanza
Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) has told Ministry of Information Media director Thabo Kawana to exculpate himself before the public for issuing a misleading statement that the K9.8 million contract for the supply of motorbikes was signed during the PF administration.
In a statement to Daily Revelation, TIZ president Sampa Kalunga argued that the contract was signed under the UPND administration.
“Transparency International Zambia (TI-Z) has noted with disappointment the misleading information shared by Mr. Thabo Kawana, a director and spokesperson at the Ministry of
Information and Media. On today’s Red Hot Breakfast Show on Hot FM Radio, Mr. Kawana informed the nation that the K9.885 million contract for the supply of 75 Motor Bikes to the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services was signed during the Patriotic Front Regime,” Kalungu stated. “This information is misleading since the Ministry’s procurement committee meeting which awarded the contract was held on 6th May 2022 and the supplier was consequently informed through a letter dated 9th May 2022.”
TIZ argued that in light of the above, TI-Z calls upon “Mr. Kawana to exculpate himself in the eyes of the public through retracting his statement.”
“The interest of the public in this tender is anchored on the unit price of the Motor Bikes in question and it is therefore pretentious to shift blame while
failing to address the main concern. On the same program, Mr. Kawana failed to inform the public of the exact model and specifications of the Motor Bikes, which information is critical in ascertaining if indeed one Bike can cost over K130,000,” stated Kalungu. “Therefore, TI-Z calls upon on the Minister of Information and Media, who is the official government spokesperson, to issue a comprehensive statement on this matter. Furthermore, we wish to bring to the attention of Mr. Kawana and the general public that government recently cancelled some contracts because they were deemed not to be in the national interest. This shows that government has the power and right to cancelling any questionable contracts. In line with President Hakainde Hichilema’s promise to Zambians with
regards the prudent utilization and management of resources, we call upon all government ministries to actualize this promise through promoting transparency and accountability.”
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