By MUNAMBEZA MUWANEI –
THE Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply (ZIPS) has warned of punitive measures against business houses and employers using unqualified procurement officers in their institutions.
ZIPS president George Mumba said his organisation was in the process of flashing out unscrupulous members of the public masquerading as procurement officers.
Mr Mumba said it was mandatory for all employers in public and private entities to ensure that they adhered to section 18 of the ZIPS Act No. 15 of 2003 which promotes professionalism, transparency, integrity and accountability in all procurement entities.
“We are in the process of flashing out unregistered members and we shall close down such offices,” Mr Mumba said.
He said the grace period had already elapsed and inspectors had already been deployed in Lusaka.
“The Inspectors have been deployed primarily in Lusaka while logistics are being worked out for other towns,” he said.
He said employers in private and public companies had been warned in the past about the action.
However, Mr Mumba said Government had issued a circular through Cabinet office in which it called on the employers to make mandatory payment of annual subscription fees and practising licences for procurement professionals in Zambia.
He said employers needed to ensure that only members of ZIPS were employed in procurement entities to ensure value for their money, ethical conduct and effectives policing of the purchasing and supply professionals.