adminThursday, Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, said it was disturbing that in most cases the SPB preferred to award Government tenders to foreign companies at the expense of local firms.
“We want to put a Statutory Instrument that binds the State Procurement Board that no Government tender should be given to foreigners.
“That nonsense should come to an end and that is unacceptable,” said.
Minister Kasukuwere said Govern- ment tenders should be used as a springboard to boost operations of local companies.
He said there were some tenders such as supply of bottled water to Government departments that were being awarded to foreign companies without justification.
“Are we saying there are no companies that can supply Government with mineral water? We want our youths to venture in such industries and provide us with quality water,” he said.
Some youths had voiced concern over the awarding of tenders to foreign companies.
They argued that the SPB should give local companies preference as a way of promoting and empowering them.
On Tuesday, Finance Minister Tendai Biti accused the SPB of awarding tenders to incompetent companies.
He said such actions were disrupting Government operations.
Minister Biti said the SPB had become an impediment to the country’s develop-ment because of the way it awards tenders.
He said the companies were so incompetent that even after being paid and provided with materials, they still failed to do their work.
Appearing before the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Budget, Finance and Investment Promotion on Monday, Minister Biti said the SPB was awarding tenders to undeserving bidders, some of whom were blacklisted by Government.
Online Reporter