GrandView International, a Lusaka based global procurement provider says the 42 fire tenders which the company has handed over to government today are specifically designed for Zambian building structures in order to maximise the protection of life and property.

GrandView International director Ntindi Kandeta told journalists on the sidelines of the handover ceremony, which was graced by vice-president Inonge Wina, that his company was proud to have successfully delivered the fire tenders on time.

“At GrandView, we are excited with the fact that a Zambian company was entrusted with such a huge task and we have been able to deliver on time. We need support from the Zambian people because this is a local company which has been able to achieve this,” Kandeta said.

“What used to happen in the past is that when a Zambia company is awarded such a contract, they would not discharge their obligations, therefore giving a negative image to local companies. So for us this is a huge achievement.”

He admitted that the cost for the fire tenders was high, but explained that the European made Scania Engines for the fire tenders would never breakdown, adding that the trucks came with complete support gear.

“There was too much talk about how one fire tender would cost US$1 million, but what people did not put into consideration was that we were not bringing the trucks only. These machine come with complete operating gear which is also required. It includes a lot of other components,” said Kandeta.

“Secondly, these machines are tailor made for Zambia, they are custom made for this country. They do not exist anywhere else in the world. They are specifically made according to the specs given by the Ministry of local government. On top of that, these European made Scania engines will not break down like the case has been in the past.”