President Edgar Lungu says it is serious corruption for ministers to abuse the 20 percent subcontracting obligation all foreign contractors are supposed to adhere to.

Speaking before departure from Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola,
Sunday, President Lungu warned ministers and party officials to stay away from such projects so that ordinary people can also benefit.

“I do not want to get reports that people from Lusaka, especially ministers and senior officials in the party are insisting on getting 20 percent when they are not even eligible. That is the corruption we do not want,” President Lungu said.

President Lungu directed the Copperbelt Minister Japhen Mwakalombe, Provincial Chairperson Nathan Chanda and Provincial Permanent Secretary Bright Nundwe to sit down with the contractors and others to ensure that guidelines were framed over the 20 percent subcontracting policy in order to make it more effective.

He said the intention of the 20 percent subcontraction policy was to benefit the people.

“I have heard that some party officials and Ministers want to withhold the contracts. The intention is that the contracts should be distributed so that other Zambians can benefit so I want Copperbelt Minister Japhen Mwakalombe, Permanent secretary Bright Nundwe and Copperbelt Chairperson Nathan Chanda to sit together with others and ensure that there is fairness in giving of the 20 percent subcontracts,” he said.

President Lungu said he would be back on the Copperbelt in October to ensure that there was order.

“I am coming back in October. I want to ensure that proper guidlines are put in place. I will also meet party officials to discuss pending issues,” said President Lungu.