Minister of Energy Peter Kapala has has confirmed that the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) has cleared Zesco over its decision to buy wooden poles from Zimbabwean and South African firms.
Mr Kapala says use of the limited bidding procurement method by Zesco to procure the treated wooden poles was within the law.
According to Zambia Daily Mail, Zesco on March 23, 2022, published an invitation for bids extending to 10 shortlisted bidders for the supply and delivery of nine and 12-metre wooden poles for use by its construction division.
However, this move raised eyebrows, with some stakeholders wondering why the power utility did not consider local firms in the supply of the poles.