Four fertilizer Companies have challenged government’s decision to cancel a public tender for the supply, delivery, warehousing and distribution of D-compound and Urea Fertiliser, under the Farm Input Support Programme (FISP).
In this matter, Samar Agro Investments, Stutone Investments, Conchak Investments, and Evergreen Fertilisers have applied for leave for judicial review over the decision by government to terminate their tenders.
On 9th September this year, Zambia Public Procurement Authority announced the cancellation of the tender citing technicalities.
However the applicants are contending that the decision by Zambia Public Procurement Authority- ZPPA directing the Ministry of Agriculture to terminate the tender for the supply delivery and warehousing of over 259,992 metric tonnes of compound D and Urea Fertilizer for the 2022/23 farming season is in contravention of section 39 of the Public Procurement Act.
The applicants add that the decision was illegal by reason that the applicants were found to be the best evaluated bidders following a national competitive bidding procedure.
By Rhodah Mvula