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Government should work within the law regarding procurement - Mutesa

Government should work within the law regarding procurement - Mutesa
By Kombe Chimpinde
Thu 01 Dec. 2011, 13:59 CAT

THE PF government should work within the framework of the law regarding issues of procurement, says Dr Fred Mutesa.

Commenting on Transparency International Zambia's (TIZ) advice to President Michael Sata that State House should have absolutely nothing to do with public procurement, Dr Mutesa, in an interview, said the current government must learn from the mistakes of the previous administration when conducting government business especially regarding procurement of various works and services.

"It goes without saying that a wise man learns from a mistake of others, so you do not have to fall in the same ditch that someone else fell into.

It's important that the new government adheres to the rule of law and recognizes or works within the framework or perimeters of the law," he said.

"Otherwise tomorrow it will be them being called to answer. It is important that this country is put back on track with regards to the rule of law. That is something that needs not to be over emphasized."

Dr Mutesa said it was vital for civil servants to reject orders which translated into abuse of office by their superiors.

"The Nuremberg trials of Nazi war criminals, people kept saying they were just acting on orders but wrong orders must be disobeyed. We need public servants who can act out of conviction of work, work with their conscience. If you act on wrong instructions you are an accomplice," he warned.

"It is better to face the sack than carry out unlawful instructions."

And Dr Mutesa said those appearing before various inquiries for questioning for the role they played in various deals must be quick to point

out those that instructed them to do so.

"It is important to be specific as to who gave instructions. If they make general references, it does not help point out who was responsible for issuing instructions," said Dr Mtesa.

TIZ president Reuben Lifuka last week said the government should have a complete overhaul of the public procurement system.

"We want to take this opportunity to urge the PF government to have a complete overhaul of the public procurement system which was definitely severely compromised by the MMD government," said Lifuka.

"We want to urge President Sata and his Cabinet and ensure that public procurement is handled by the competent bodies. State House should have absolutely nothing to do with procurement of services."

Labels: FRED MUTESA, MICHAEL SATA, PROCUREMENT SYSTEMS, REUBEN LIFUKA, TIZ

posted by MrK @ 4:19 PM