President Hakainde Sammy Hichilema @ 10TH ZAMBIA INSTITUTE OF PURCHASING AND SUPPLY ANNUAL CONFERENCE RIGHTLY THEMED: “SUPPLY CHAIN EXCELLENCE THROUGH PRUDENT MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES, VALUE ADDITION AND ETHICAL PROCUREMENT.” –

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• ALL PERMANENT SECRETARIES PRESENT;

• THE ZIPS PRESIDENT- FELLOW ROBERT TEMBO;

• THE FORMER ZIPS PRESIDENTS PRESENT;

• SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS PRESENT;

• ZIPS COUNCIL MEMBERS;

• GUEST SPEAKERS;

• ALL MEMBERS OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN FRATERNITY;

• MEMBERS OF THE PRESS;

• LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.

IT IS GRATIFYING FOR ME TO BE GUEST OF HONOUR AND JOIN THE SUPPLY CHAIN FRATERNITY AT THIS 10TH ZAMBIA INSTITUTE OF PURCHASING AND SUPPLY ANNUAL CONFERENCE RIGHTLY THEMED:
“SUPPLY CHAIN EXCELLENCE THROUGH PRUDENT
MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES, VALUE ADDITION AND ETHICAL
PROCUREMENT.”

AS I DELIVER THIS SPEECH, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PERMIT ME TO
QUOTE FROM THE WRITING OF DAVE WATERS CALLED “LEADERS
WIN THROUGH LOGISTICS.” DAVE WATERS SAID AND I QUOTE,
“SUPPLY CHAIN IS LIKE NATURE, IT IS ALL AROUND.”

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

THE SUPPLY CHAIN OR PROCUREMENT IS THE BACKBONE OF ANY ORGANISATION BE IT PRIVATE OR PUBLIC. IF IT IS DONE WRONGLY OR BADLY, IT WILL HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON RESOURCES. AS YOU ARE ALL AWARE, THE NEW DAWN GOVERNMENT PLACES A HIGH PREMIUM ON THE PRUDENT USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES AND PARTICULARLY ON PROCUREMENT MATTERS. THIS IS BECAUSE IT HAS A FIRM CONVICTION THAT THE PROCUREMENT FUNCTION AND THE
PROFESSIONALS INVOLVED IN PROCUREMENT, PLAY A CARDINAL ROLE IN FOSTERING NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN LINE WITH OUR FIVE YEAR MANDALE AS ESPOUSED BY OUR EIGHTH NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2022 – 2026.

I MUST RE-EMPHASIZE THAT PROPER SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT IS FUNDAMENTAL IN THE PRUDENT USE OF RESOURCES AS IT BRINGS
ABOUT VALUE FOR MONEY IN TERMS OF THE RIGHT PRICE, RIGHT
QUALITY AND TIMELY DELIVERY OF PUBLIC GOODS, SERVICES AND WORKS. BE IT CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, BUILDING OF SCHOOLS, CONSTRUCTION OF HOSPITALS, ACQUISITION OF MEDICINES, AND MANY MORE, ALL ARE DONE THROUGH THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS.

LET US ALWAYS BE MINDFUL THAT, IT IS NON-NEGOTIABLE THAT THERE SHOULD BE EXCELLENCE IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN, STRONG FOCUS ON PRUDENCE IN THE MANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES AND UPHOLDING OF INTEGRITY BY THOSE CHARGED WITH DISPENSING PEOPLE’S
RESOURCES. THE RESOURCES FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY. IT IS, THEREFORE, INCUMBENT UPON YOU AS SUPPLY CHAIN PROFESSIONALS TO ENSURE THAT YOU RECLAIM YOUR POSITION IN THE SERVICE DELIVERY PROCESS AND BUILD THE LOST PUBLIC CONFIDENCE AND IMAGE OF THIS NOBLE PROFESSION.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

THIS ZIPS 10TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE THEME ALIGNS WITH THE NEW DAWN’S GOVERNMENT ASPIRATIONS WHICH ARE CENTRED ON UPHOLDING INTEGRITY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY IN THE
MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC RESOURCES ENTRUSTED TO IT BY THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA. AS THE UNITED PARTY FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, WE MADE THIS SERIOUS COMMITMENT TO THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE AND WE ARE DETERMINED TO DELIVER ON OUR
PROMISES AS WE HAVE ENTERED THE SECOND YEAR IN GOVERNMENT.

AS YOU MAY ALL RECALL, I HAVE HAD ENGAGEMENTS WITH CABINET MINISTERS, CONTROLLING OFFICERS IN GOVERNMENT, MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, HEADS OF LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND COUNCILS, AND WITH BOARDS AND HEADS OF QUASI GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS AT MULUNGUSHI INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE IN LUSAKA. I DELIBERATELY HAD SUCH AN AUDIENCE WITH ALL THESE BECAUSE I WANT US, AS PUBLIC SERVICE WORKERS, TO BE MOVING AT THE SAME LEVEL, WITHOUT LEAVING ANYONE BEHIND. PROVIDING SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE REQUIRES THAT WE ALL EXERCISE PRUDENCE IN THE
MANNER WE HANDLE RESOURCES ONBEHALF OF ALL OUR FELLOW CITIZENS.

IN ALL THE MEETINGS, I DID STRESS THE NEED FOR TRANSPARENCY, INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN THE MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC RESOURCES AT ALL LEVELS, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC PROCUREMENT.

MY GOVERNMENT WILL ALWAYS AND CONTINUALLY TALK ABOUT PROCUREMENT BECAUSE WE REALISE THE VALUE IT BRINGS TO THE ECONOMY SUCH AS EMPOWERMENT AND INCREASED PARTICIPATION OF SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES, THEREBY ENHANCING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

LET ME NOW TOUCH ON ONE IMPORTANT GOVERNANCE ISSUE WHICH BORDERS ON PROFESSIONAL ETHICS. I WISH TO APPEAL TO ALL YOUR MEMBERS, AND THROUGH THIS GATHERING, TO STRONGLY GUARD AGAINST UNETHICAL PRACTICES AND VICES SUCH AS INFLATING CONTRACTS, FRONT LOADING PAYMENTS, RECEIPTING OF UNDELIVERED GOODS OR SERVICES, AND CERTIFYING WORKS BEFORE FINAL COMPLETION. LET ME MAKE IT VERY CLEAR THAT MY GOVERNMENT HAS ADOPTED A ZERO TOLERANCE TO CORRUPTION AND WILL NOT CONDONE SUCH PRACTICES.

I HAVE REPEATEDLY SAID THAT PERPETRATORS WILL FACE THE WRATH
OF THE LAW. AS YOU ALL KNOW, CORRUPTION IS EVIL AS IT TAKES AWAY RESOURCES MEANT TO BENEFIT THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE IN THE CASE OF THE PUBLIC SECTOR. WE MUST GUARD AGAINST IT! WE
MUST ALL RESIST IT! SHOULD YOU DECIDE TO TAKE A DIFFERENT DIRECTION, JUST KNOW YOU WILL BE ON YOUR OWN. THERE WILL BE NO SACRED COWS. THIS, I HAVE MADE IT CLEAR TIME AND AGAIN, EVEN TO MEMBERS OF MY CABINET.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

A WELL FUNCTIONING PROCUREMENT SYSTEM IS NECESSARY AS IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO REDUCE COSTS OF DOING BUSINESS AND
ENHANCE PROFITABILITY IN THE CASE OF THE THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WHO IN TURN WILL PAY MORE TAXES TO GOVERNMENT. THE INCREASED REVENUE WILL HELP GOVERNMENT BETTER DELIVER PUBLIC SERVICES SUCH AS FREE EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE, WATER AND SANITATION, AND OTHER SOCIAL SERVICES FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ZAMBIAN PEOPLE.

THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF FINANCE AND NATIONAL PLANNING PRESENTED THE 2023 NATIONAL BUDGET IN THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY ON FRIDAY, 30TH SEPTEMBER, 2022. TO REALISE THIS BUDGET, WE NEED RESOURCES AND THE RESOURCES SHOULD BE TARGETED TO WHAT WE HAVE LAID DOWN FOR THE PEOPLE NEXT YEAR. PRUDENCE AND INTEGRITY ARE PART OF THE EQUATION.

IT IS IN THIS REGARD THAY MY GOVERNMENT IS DETERMINED TO BUILD A STRONG AND STRATEGIC SUPPLY CHAIN WHICH WILL SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION AND JOB CREATION AGENDA.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

I MUST BE QUICK TO MENTION THAT, THE NEW DAWN GOVERNMENT’S VISION IS TO HAVE THE FULL PARTICIPATION OF ZAMBIANS
PARTICULARLY THE WOMEN AND YOUTH IN THE TENDERING PROCESSES. THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT ACT NO. 8 OF 2020 AND THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT REGULATIONS OF 2022, ARE GOOD PIECES OF
LEGISLATION IN THEIR CURRENT FORM, BUT THE LAW NEEDS TO BE
IMPROVED IN ORDER TO MEET THE ASPIRATIONS OF THE NEW DAWN ADMINISTRATION.

IN AN EFFORT TO ACHIEVE AND IMPLEMENT THE DECENTRALISATION PROGRAMME AND TAKE DEVELOPMENT CLOSER TO THE PEOPLE, MORE RESOURCES ARE NOW BEING CHANNELLED TO THE CONSTITUENCIES SO THAT DEVELOPMENT TAKES PLACE ESPECIALLY IN THE RURAL AREAS OF OUR COUNTRY. SUCH AN INNOVATIVE AND MASSIVE DEVELOPMENTAL AGENDA OF MY GOVERNMENT CANNOT SUCCEED IF WE DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE, WITH THE RIGHT QUALIFICATIONS AND THE RIGHT COMPETENCIES PLACED AT THE CORE OF THE MANAGEMENT OF THESE RESOURCES.

I, THEREFORE, WISH TO CALL ON THE ZAMBIA INSTITUTE OF PURCHASING AND SUPPLY AND THE ZAMBIA PUBLIC PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY, TO WORK TOGETHER IN PROVIDING CAPACITY BUILDING
IN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT PROCESSES AMONG BOTH THE
PROCUREMENT PROFESSIONALS IN THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES AND THE SUPPLIERS AT LARGE, SO THAT PROCUREMENT PITFALLS CAN BE AVOIDED AT ALL COST.

IN THIS PRESENT TIME OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY, I IMPLORE YOU TO BE INNOVATIVE AND RIDE ON THIS IMPORTANT PLATFORM. I AM GLAD TO NOTE THAT THE GOVERNMENT THROUGH THE ZAMBIA PUBLIC PROCUREMENT AUTHORITY IS ALREADY
USING THE ELECTRONIC GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT (E-GP) SYSTEM,
ALTHOUGH THIS IS LIMITED TO FEW INSTITUTIONS IN TERMS OF USE.
THIS IS COMMENDABLE AS THE SYSTEM HAS THE POTENTIAL TO ENHANCE EFFICIENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND INTERGRITY IN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT.

I, THEREFORE, WISH TO DIRECT ALL PROCURING ENTITIES, AND PROFESSIONALS, IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, TO AQUAINT THEMSELVES WITH THE E-GP SYSTEM AND THE VARIOUS PROVISIONS ENSHRINED IN THE PUBLIC PROCUREMENT ACT NO. 8 OF 2020. THIS IS IN ORDER TO ALIGN ALL PROCUREMENT PROCESSES AND HELP TO CREATE A HEALTHY, TRANSPARENT AND COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AS WELL AS AVOIDING OFFENCES THAT ARE LIKELY TO DENT THE IMAGE OF THIS PROFESSION.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,

AS I CONCLUDE, I WISH TO CALL UPON YOU ALL TO BE AGENTS OF CHANGE AND JOIN ME IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION AND
OTHER BAD VICES. I EXPECT YOU TO ACT PROFESSIONALLY,
ETHICALLY AND TO UPROOT THE BAD SEEDS IN YOUR PROFESSION.
YOU MUST REDEFINE WHAT SUPPLY CHAIN OR PROCUREMENT IS KNOWN FOR AND CONTINUE CHAMPIONING GOOD AND ETHICAL SUPPLY CHAIN PRACTICES.

IT IS, THEREFORE, MY SINCERE HOPE THAT ALL THE DELEGATES SHALL LEAVE THIS CONFERENCE WITH A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE, PRUDENT RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND ETHICAL CONDUCT. ALSO ALWAYS REMEMBER, CORRUPTION HAS NO SPACE IN
MY ADMINISTRATION. AS YOU DISCHARGE YOUR DUTIES, REMEMBER THAT YOU ARE DOING IT FOR THE ZAMBIANS AND NOT FOR YOUR PERSONAL BENEFIT.

WE ARE IN THESE RESPONSIBLE POSITIONS AS SERVANTS OF THE
PEOPLE AND THAT IS WHY WE ACCEPTED TO BE IN THESE POSITIONS.
THE PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA PUT US IN THESE POSITIONS, SO THEY ARE OUR MASTERS.

WITH THE MESSAGE I HAVE PUT FORWARD IN MY ADDRESS, IT IS NOW MY SINGULAR HONOUR AND PRIVILEGE TO DECLARE THE ZIPS 10TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE OFFICIALLY OPENED.

MAY GOD BLESS US ALL.

I THANK YOU.