GOVERNMENT has come up with a Covid-19 procurement
centralised system after observing that some of its departments were buying
substandard equipment.
This comes as Government is conducting a study to establish
why there is a high Covid-19 infection rate among frontline workers despite
infection prevention and control measures having been put in place.
Cabinet yesterday affirmed Government’s commitment to
address the working conditions for health workers.
During the post-Cabinet media briefing last evening,
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa
said to address procurement discord among Government departments, the National
Pharmaceutical Company (Natpharm) will be responsible for buying Covid-19
materials for ministries.
“Following reports of Government institutions paying
different prices for similar materials and in some cases, purchasing
sub-standard products, the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development has
issued a circular centralising the procurement of all Covid-19 materials under
Natpharm. Purchases of materials for internal use by departments are also
covered by the directive,” she said.
Minister Mutsvangwa said Government was working to improve
working conditions for all its workers and is concerned with the high Covid-19
infection rates among frontline workers.
“Accordingly, the Ministry of Health and Child Care, with
support from developing partners is working on a combined fact-finding
exercise, and continues to train health workers in infection prevention and
control,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She said $2,9 billion in devolution funds will only be
disbursed to local authorities after they complete the requisite procurement
procedures to curb abuse of funds.
Minister Mutsvangwa said Ministers of State for Provincial
Affairs and Devolution will be given more power to supervise the implementation
of devolution funds.
“Cabinet emphasises that the implementation of devolution
is continuing and is pleased to inform the public that the devolution
allocation for 2020 stands at $2,932 billion. Treasury has put in place
measures to stem the abuse of funds and cash releases will be done upon
completion of the requisite procurement processes by local authorities.
Furthermore, provincial ministers will be empowered to monitor how the
devolution funds are utilised,” said Minister Mutsvangwa.
She encouraged more private commuter operators to join the
Zimbabwe United Passenger Company (Zupco) public transport franchise system.
“Cabinet is aware that Zupco continues to provide services
to commuters in urban areas and undertakes to explore measures to facilitate
efficient movement of workers to and from work. Registered bus and kombi
operators are encouraged to join the Zupco franchise in order to enlarge the
Zupco fleet. Cabinet has directed that fuel supply to Zupco be ring fenced in
order to alleviate the situation with regard to the movement of workers,” she
said.
The minister also said the Ministry of Primary and
Secondary Education has created a database to monitor schools’ preparedness to
reopen in line with World Health Organisation (WHO) regulations that resulted
in the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council (Zimsec) holding Covid-19 free June
examinations. Herald
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