Africa-Press – Zambia. The Patriotic Front (PF) Media Director Antonio Mwanza has taken the Zambian Minister of Infrastructure, Hon Charles Milupi, to task over the controversial Lusaka-Ndola dual carriageway deal. The deal has sparked public discontent and uproar, prompting Milupi to issue a Ministerial Statement in Parliament. However, the statement has raised more questions than answers, and stakeholders have sought answers from the minister regarding the deal.
Mwanza has raised several concerns regarding the deal. Firstly, he questions how the government intends to guarantee the interests of the public, as well as quasi-government institutions, NAPSA and Workers Compensation Fund Control Board (WCFCB), in case the concessionaire fails to deliver the project according to the agreed timeframe and specifications.
Secondly, Mwanza questions whether the reduction in the cost of the contract from $1.250 billion to $649,976,167.00 was due to a change in the scope of works or a price adjustment. He also requests the Bill of Quantities (BoQ) for both the initial contract and the new one to compare the scope and cost of the works to be done.
Thirdly, Mwanza questions the criteria used to pick the concessionaire in the absence of a conclusive financing arrangement, as well as the government proceeding to sign the contract with the concessionaire before the conclusion of funding agreements with NAPSA and others.
Fourthly, Mwanza raises concerns about the profits that the concessionaire will rake in, totaling $1.849 billion, which represents 289% of the investment. He suggests that NAPSA could pay the concessionaire for the works and then recoup its money by taking over toll fees for the period of the concession. This way, all the estimated $1.8 billion profit will go to the public coffers and be used for other developmental projects.
Lastly, Mwanza questions the need for a sovereign guarantee when the money being used is public money for pensioners. Mwanza believes that the deal does not make any financial sense and must be withdrawn and redone. The public deserves transparency and clarity on this matter, and the government must address the concerns raised by stakeholders.
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