Zambia probes KK International Airport rehabilitation contract, PS fired

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Permanent Secretary, Anna Mwitwa Mwewa
Permanent Secretary, Anna Mwitwa Mwewa

The Law Enforcement Agencies are investigating the awarding of a contract to Beautiful Living Company for the rehabilitation of Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.

Cabinet Office in 2013 engaged Beautiful Living Company to carry out the works at the center sum of over K1.8 million without signing a contract.

This was disclosed when Cabinet Office Acting Permanent Secretary, Ireen Chifumbano appeared before the Parliamentary Accounts Committee -PAC- to answer to queries in the 2013 Auditor General’s Report in Lusaka.

The report also reveals that Cabinet Office issued payments of about K2 million without the contractor issuing Certificates of completion.

And PAC Charirperson, Getrude Imenda wondered why officers at Cabinet Office issued payments against the laid down procedures.

Ms. Imenda says she hopes that all those involved should be brought to book.

When asked what has happened to the erring officers, Ms. Chifumbano says only the Permanent Secretary, Anna Mwitwa Mwewa was fired and investigations are ongoing.

Meanwhile Mafinga MMD Member of Parliament, Catherine Namugala has described the revelations as an out theft of public resources.

Ms. Namugala has wondered why the other officers involved in issuing payments are still working.

And government says it is investing additional resources in water infrastructure projects in order to make the sector viable.

Copperbelt Minister Mwenya Musenge says this will be done through investment in capital water and sanitation projects to improve access to clean and safe drinking water.

Mr. Musenge was speaking in Kitwe this morning during commemorations to mark the 2015 World Water Day.

And Kitwe Mayor Kelvin Sinyangwe has observed that the city is recording considerable improvement in access to clean and safe water supply.

Meanwhile Nkana Water and Sewerage Company Managing Director Diana Makwaba says the water and sanitation project which started in 2009 has greatly improved water supply in the city.

Meanwhile, the Anti-Corruption Commission in Chipata has arrested two officers from the Judiciary for corruptly soliciting for 5-thousand kwacha from a Chipata Businessman.

ACC Public Relations Officer Timothy Moono has named the arrested as Peter Zimba 37, a Court Interpreter and Richard Kasongo,32 both working for Chipata Subordinate Court.

Details of the offence are that on unknown dates but between 10th March 2015 and 21st March 2015 in Chipata, Zimba and Kasongo , being Public Officers did solicit for 5-thousand kwacha.

Mr. Moono says the two officers received 2-thousand kwacha from a named businessman as an inducement or reward for themselves.

This was in order for them to facilitate the discontinuance of a criminal case involving a named businessman of chipata.

Mr. Moono has told ZNBC News in a statement that the duo have since been released on bond and will appear in court soon.

 

ZNBC

 

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