By TEDDY KUYELA
MINISTRY of Information and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary Bert Mushala has said that he will do everything possible to ensure the commissioning of printing presses bought in 2008 for Chipata and Kasama.
Mr Mushala said this yesterday when he appeared before the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) in Lusaka to answer audit queries cited in the 2012 Auditor General’s report.
He apologised to the committee for the ministry’s failure to install the machines on time.
This was in response to the PAC’s concern that the ministry has failed to install the printing presses bought in 2008 at a cost of over K6.3 million.
The committee, chaired by Chipangali member of Parliament (MP) Vincent Mwale (MMD), was concerned that the printing machines, which were supposed to be installed at the Zambia News and Information Services offices in Chipata and Kasama in 2008 are still in containers.
The committee is also disappointed that some parts of the machines are now obsolete and that the warranty on the equipment had expired.
“It is very sad to learn that the equipment, which was bought at a great cost of over K6.3 million, has not yet been installed.” Mr Mwale said.
Another member of the committee, Lunte MP Felix Mutati (MMD), said it is absurd that the construction of a building to house the machines has taken long when Government had budgeted for the exercise in 2008 to ensure the project was completed on time.
“It is very depressing to hear that the printing equipment, which was bought in 2008 is still in the containers,” he said.
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