THE determination expressed by the Anti-Corruption Commission Director General Gilbert Phiri to participate in the entire fertiliser tendering process in order to prevent corruption is encouraging. Reacting to the revelation by President Hichilema that some members of the tender committee in the line ministry were tampering with tender documents, Mr Phiri said the Commission will not tolerate any dirty trick in government procurement. PHIRI: “Concerning the fertiliser tendering process, the Anti-Corruption Commission will be part of it. The ACC is going to have a presence and we will observe all the processes right up to the end. So, the mere fact that we are present, watching and observing the process means that we are looking out for issues like collusion, inflation and generally, corruption. So, we shall ensure that the words of the President are followed to the latter. We are optimistic that there will be no need to set an early example of what we mean when we say there will be zero tolerance to corruption. So, we are watching the fertiliser tender process with eagle eyes. I will be receiving periodic briefings from our representative in the process to ensure that at the first slightest sign of trouble, we move in. And we’re acting in the interest of the Zambian people. So, we are not going to allow any dirty tricks and corruption in this process. It will not happen.” We don’t know how robust the team which has been deployed to monitor the said fertilizer tender process is, but if the Anti-Corruption Commission does its work diligently and without any political interference, then we will definitely see a significant reduction in corruption. But the question is whether.......