The Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) has suspended Ntosa Investments Limited from participating in any public procurement activities for one year, citing poor performance in a contract awarded by the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) Eye Hospital.
The suspension, effective May 19, 2025, was issued under Section 96(g) of the Public Procurement Act No. 8 of 2020, as amended by Act No. 17 of 2023.
ZPPA Principal Public Relations Officer, Inutu Mushambatwa, said this follows an investigation launched after a complaint from UTH-Eye Hospital regarding unsatisfactory execution of a contract for the supply, delivery, and installation of two 10,000-litre water storage tanks.
Ms. Mushambatwa said among the issues highlighted were failure to install ladder protection on both tanks, despite its inclusion in the company’s bid, and the use of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) pipes instead of the specified galvanized pipes for connecting to existing water lines
She said findings revealed significant underperformance by Ntosa Investments and these discrepancies were found to breach the contractual terms and violate provisions of the procurement law.
“In accordance with the Act, a bidder or supplier shall be suspended from participating in procurement if found guilty of non-performance of or under performance of contractual obligation except that the non-performance or under performance is not due to any force majeure,” said Ms. Mushambatwa in a statement issued to RCV News in Lusaka today.
She further clarified that the suspension does not affect Ntosa Investments’ ability to complete contracts awarded prior to May 19, 2025.
By Margaret Mwanza
