PRESIDENTIAL Spokesperson Anthony Bwalya says President Hakainde Hichilema has ordered that all tender committees across all line ministries must be reorganised at staff level to improve working efficiencies relating to public procurement.

In a statement, Tuesday, Bwalya said the Head of State had directed all line ministers to tighten the supervisory tone over their respective tender committees and ensure that public resources were correctly applied for the benefit of the Zambian people.

“President Hakainde Hichilema has ordered that all tender committees across all line ministries must be reorganised at staff level in order to improve working efficiencies relating to public procurement activities. The President’s order is aimed at supporting the new administration’s drive to protect the integrity of public resources by ensuring that public procurement is never used as a conduit to plunder people’s resources. The President has, therefore, directed all line ministers to tighten the supervisory tone over their respective tender committees and ensure that public resources are correctly and optimally applied for the benefit of the Zambian people,” stated Bwalya.

“Let there also be emphasis, that line ministries’ procurement and tender committee operatives who will act outside or against public interest will be subjected to the fullest extent of the law and stern disciplinary measures will be taken against them.”