THE recent procurement of 42 fire tenders worth US$42 million by the Government has raised a lot of uncertainty, albeit among a nuclear section of our society.
We say a nuclear segment because we have observed that the people and institutions criticising the move and branding the procurement process a sham, are the same ones that have never had anything good to say about the Government.
Many are times we have heard the nation cry out for modern fire equipment as a solution to the many fires that have left a trail of destruction whenever an area is ablaze.
It could be speculated, for instance, that the fire that swept through Lusaka’s City Market this year could have been contained if the equipment used to quench the flames was ultramodern.
In the case of accusing the Government of corruption in the fire tenders’ deal, we are perturbed that despite the process being cleared by the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) and cleared the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), some people have remained ‘doubting Thomases’.
We are referring to United Party for National Development (UPND) leader Hakainde Hichilema and the 64 members of Parliament (MPs), among others, who are still questioning the transparency of the procurement process.
It is unfortunate that 57 UPND MPs, expelled Patriotic Front (PF) Roan MP Chishimba Kambwili, others from the ruling party and independents are among 64 parliamentarians that petitioned Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Matibini to set up a special committee to probe the fire tenders’ contract.
What we find surprising is that Mr Hichilema and the MPs sought to engage the media other than ACC and ZPPA, with evidence of the graft that they saw in the procurement process.
We agree with chief Government spokesperson Kampamba Mulenga that Mr Hichilema and the other persons are merely playing to the gallery and exploiting cheap politicking mechanisms to garner public sympathy and support.
In addition to the responses of ZPPA and ACC over the matter, it has been established that the cost of a brand new fire engine and its various accessories is about US$1.3 million.
A guiding price list available on the Dover Fire Department of the United States (US) website indicates that a basic pumper engine is $550,000 while a ladder ranges within $840,000.The outfit equipment costs $150,000.
Other sites show that on average, towns that have narrow streets spend about $1 million for a fire truck.
The Dover Fire Department explains that when purchasing a fire-fighting machine, a number of considerations such as geographical location have to be put in place.
Another of our reputable online sources reveals that a fire truck, whether used or brand-new, costs between $500,000 and $1 million without accessories.
The Government has eloquently explained this matter, even before the floor of Parliament, and we certainly concur with all parties saying there is no basis for graft in the procurement of the fire tenders.
Let us all just benefit from this equipment and use it wisely.