Labour Ministry Warns Against Corruption in Public Projects
Ministry of Labour and Social Security Permanent Secretary, Mr Zechariah Luhanga, has urged strict oversight in procurement and contract management, warning that weak supervision creates room for corruption, abuse of public resources and poor service delivery.
Mr Luhanga said lax procurement practices erode public trust and will not be tolerated, stressing that sound contract management is critical to protecting public funds and ensuring projects are completed on time and offer value for money.
His remarks come as the Ministry undertakes the construction and rehabilitation of offices in Kasempa, Kalomo, Mukushi, Chipata and Kitwe.
Speaking through Acting Permanent Secretary Mr Paul Mumba during an orientation workshop for members of the Contract and Project Management Committee, Mr Luhanga cautioned against flawed tendering processes, biased evaluations and poor contract supervision.
He said the Ministry has placed accountability at the centre of its procurement and project management systems to safeguard public trust and support national development.
“Every decision made in procurement affects service delivery, value for money and the reputation of this institution. We expect processes that are clean, professional and free from influence,” Mr Luhanga said.
He emphasised that procurement is not a routine administrative task but a core governance function that must be guided by fairness, objectivity and strong ethical standards.
Mr Luhanga warned that personal interests, conflicts of interest or interference in procurement decisions amount to a direct violation of public trust.
“Committee decisions must be free from personal gain or external pressure. Confidentiality and impartiality are not optional; they are mandatory,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary further highlighted the need for continuous oversight in contract administration, noting that many procurement-related scandals arise after contract awards due to weak monitoring or deliberate neglect.
He warned that poor supervision, undocumented contract variations and ignored warning signs often lead to cost overruns, abandoned projects and compromised quality.
Mr Luhanga called for vigilance throughout the entire contract lifecycle, from tender evaluation to project completion, describing this as the only way to protect institutional resources and ensure contractors meet taxpayers’ expectations.
He commended the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Zambia Public Procurement Authority and the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development for supporting the training of committee members.
Mr Luhanga reaffirmed the Ministry’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, saying continued collaboration with oversight institutions will strengthen integrity, accountability and transparency in public procurement.
“This goes beyond compliance. It is about safeguarding public trust. We will support officers who perform their duties diligently and take firm action against anyone who attempts to undermine the integrity of our procurement system,” he said.
