MWALE

By CHARITY MOONGA-
THE Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has summoned directors of Techmiya Commercials Limited, a company contracted to supply earth moving equipment worth K8 million from the United Kingdom (UK) which has not been delivered.
PAC has since described as a scandal the transaction in which seven councils in Southern Province purchased earth moving equipment worth K8 million from a UK based firm, which to date has not been delivered.
Three of Techmiya directors registered with Patents and Companies Registration Agency (PACRA) in Zambia are Kapota Miyambo, Hambayi Milambo and Miyambo Chisala all of Rhodes Park in Lusaka.
The committee, chaired by Chipangali MMD Member of Parliament MP Vincent Mwale, ordered the three directors to appear before it at a date to be communicated to them.
The councils purchased the equipment for use in  Choma central, Dundumwezi, Mapatizya, Mbabala, Pemba, Kalomo central and Kazungula.
The councils had engaged Techmiya Commercials Limited to supply second hand earth moving equipment but to date the equipment had not been delivered despite paying for them in full.
In the case of Choma municipal council, the PAC heard that the local authority paid more than  K1.3 million to the company on April, 8 last year.
The PAC also wondered why all councils were single sourcing from Techmiya Commercials Limited despite the organisation failing to deliver.
Choma Town Clerk Mwiiya Mwiiya had a tough time explaining to the committee how he carried out a transaction with Techmiya Commercials Limited without following proper procedures.
Mr Mwiiya said the equipment was still marooned at Walvis Bay and the supplier was holding on because other councils had not yet paid the same supplier.
Local Government and Housing Permanent Secretary, Stanford Mschili, who had difficulties defending the local authorities, said Government would now work with the international police to bring Techmiya Commercials Limited to book over failure to deliver the equipment.
The PAC heard that most of the local authorities were introduced to Techmiya Commercials Limited by their area Members of Parliament (MPs) who had been approached by the firm to advertise their services.
But Mr Mwale wondered why the ministry had not followed up with Techmiya Commercials Limited since 2012.