Deliver or risk losing your licences- face masks suppliers told

The Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit-DMMU has issued a four-day ultimatum to suppliers who have not delivered face masks to do so or risk having their contracts cancelled.

This was said by DMMU National Coordinator Chanda Kabwe adding that the government has contractual obligations it follows when awarding contracts with a specific timeline.

Kabwe disclosed that from the three million masks that the DMMU was tasked to procure, only 2.9m have been delivered and distributed to all parts of the country.

He attributed the delays in the supply of the remaining masks to the failure by some companies that were given the contracts.

He said these companies up to now, have not yet delivered the items.

“The government does not have time to start waiting for those who have failed to deliver because school going children especially in rural areas are in need of these masks,” he said.
Apparently, Kabwe said he was impressed with the number of youths who have responded and participated in the supply of the re-usable masks.

“The move simply shows that youths are slowly taking up their role meant to improve their lives and also contribute participate in national affairs.

“The government has met its target of delivering COVID-19 prevention material to almost all the provinces,” he said.

Kabwe said with the timely delivery of the materials by those contracted, all the schools will be able to receive the masks by next week.

The alleged failure by some contracted companies to supply the product has since led some people to question if the tenders were awarded on merit.

Kabwe also registered dismay over some social media fraudsters who have now started sending people text messages asking them to pay for contracts to supply face masks to DMMU.

He said his office has since raised the concern with ZICTA and urged people to report any such incidents.