ZPPA Suspends Ntosa Investments Limited Over Poor Project Delivery at UTH-Eye Hospital
The Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) has suspended Ntosa Investments Limited from participating in public procurement for unsatisfactory performance and poor delivery of works. The suspension is effective for one year, starting from 19th May, 2025.
ZPPA Public Relations Officer Iñutu Mushambatwa said in a statement that the suspension was carried out in accordance with Section 96(g) of the Public Procurement Act No. 8 of 2020, as amended by Act No. 17 of 2023.
She explained that the action followed an investigation prompted by a complaint from UTH-Eye Hospital over the contractor’s failure to deliver works as specified.
Following the preliminary investigation, ZPPA established that Ntosa Investments Limited had underperformed on contractual obligations. One of the key issues cited was the failure to install ladder protection on both tanks, despite this requirement being included in the supplier’s bid.
Ms Mushambatwa stated that the contract involved the supply and installation of two 10,000-litre water storage tanks at a contract sum of K184,288.13.
She added that another violation was the use of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes, even though the Bill of Quantity clearly specified the use of galvanized pipes for connections to existing water lines.
“Such acts are contrary to Section 96(g) of the Public Procurement Act, which provides that a bidder or supplier shall be suspended from participating in procurement due to non-performance or underperformance of contractual obligations—unless such failure is due to force majeure,” she said.
Ms Mushambatwa emphasized that the suspension applies only to new contracts. Ntosa Investments Limited remains eligible to perform outstanding contracts entered into before 19th May, 2025.
