Mwamba Pulls Digital Plug Off

By STEVEN MVULA

MINISTRY of Information and Broadcasting Services Emmanuel Mwamba has ostensibly put to rest the debate on the cancellation of the US$220 million digital migration tender by saying its cancellation is “final”.
In a terse and straight-to-the-point statement issued yesterday, Mr Mwamba said the ‘preferred’ bidder tender was cancelled on advice from the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA).
Star Times of China has placed advertisements in the local media appealing for the cancellation to be reversed because they are a “good” company, but Mr Mwamba is sticking to the ZPPA professional advice.
The ACC is investigating the awarding of the tender on suspicion that it could be marred with graft.
“What the good people of Zambia need to know is that no tender was awarded to Star Times or any other company for that matter,” Mr Mwamba said. “Star Times were simply a preferred bidder, not a final tender winner. There has never been a winner for the tender in question and the ministry is trying to work within the law going forward.”
Two weeks ago, Government cancelled the tender to supply, deliver and install equipment for digital migration at a cost of US$220 million.
The permanent secretary was responding to an appeal from Star Times Software Technology through their advocates Chibesakunda and Company on the cancellation of the tender.
Mr Mwamba said no award has been on the tender as what was advertised was just an intention to award.
“The ministry considers it irregular that an appeal could be made on a tender that is already cancelled,” Mr Mwamba said.
Mr Mwamba explained that after advertising with the intention to award, a 10-day grace period was given to bidders to appeal.
He said two bidders appealed to ZPPA, who dealt comprehensively with the appeals and further advised that the tender be cancelled.
Mr Mwamba said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Services has written to the Attorney General and ZPPA for guidance before the procurement committee can decide further on the matter.
In its appeal, Star Times Software Technology Company Limited argued that it is clearly the best bidder to implement the digital migration project in Zambia.
Meanwhile, dozens of callers to the popular early morning radio programme on Hot FM dubbed the Hot Red Breakfast show yesterday called in droves to support Mr Mwamba for the radical changes he has taken to the ministry.
One caller said Mr Mwamba must be commended and not condemned for stopping a practice of government officials choosing who should cover them on local and international assignments.
Another one commended him for encouraging the public media to exercise free will but with responsibility as they execute their duties while another one commended him for pulling the breaks on the controversial US$220 million tender.
Digital migration is the switch from analogue to digital signals in broadcasting sound or images.

Posted by Editor on October 8, 2013. Filed under LATEST NEWS. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry