Zambia Institute of Procurement and Supply (ZIPS) graduates have been urged to uphold integrity.
Speaking during the ZIPS 8th Graduation Ceremony in Lusaka today, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties at the Cabinet Office, Lackson Kasonka noted that procurement should be treated as a strategic function that will drive Zambia’s shift from economic stabilisation to sustained growth under the Grow Zambia Agenda.
Professor Kasonka noted that the shift will only succeed if it is led by ethical professionals who cannot be bought, intimidated or persuaded to compromise their principles.
He said procurement sits at the intersection of financial resources, markets and service delivery, determining whether roads, hospitals, schools, medicines and energy projects translate into real benefits for Zambians.
“poor planning, weak specifications, waste and corruption can undermine even well-designed development programmes”, he said.
Professor Kasonka further challenged institutions to redefine value for money beyond the lowest price, to include quality, durability, timeliness and total life-cycle cost.
“Reject corruption, your qualification will show what you have learned, your integrity will show the professional you have become, Zambia needs professionals who cannot be bought,” he said.
Meanwhile ZIPS Vice President, Polite Hamaleka, stressed that the profession remains constrained by structural challenges.
He noted that procurement professionals are often placed too low in organizational structures and only consulted after budgets and specifications are settled, reducing them to processing officers.
Mr Hamaleka also observed that procurement is still measured by compliance alone rather than results, and that placing stores under finance without clear reporting lines creates operational difficulties.
On the other hand, Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Henry Lukwesa, said learning becomes leadership when knowledge solves real problems such as whether hospitals receive essential supplies.
He urged graduates to uphold three commitments to protect integrity, keep developing competence and take responsibility for results.
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