By Lovemore Chazingwa
City of Kadoma has taken delivery of two fire tenders under the Government’s controversial Belarus agreement.
Under the agreement, government acquired fire tenders from Belarus for a staggering US$465 000 each.
Experts say the amount was inflated by as much as US$270 000.
To worsen matters, then Local Government Minister July Moyo directed that Councils pay using devolution funds.
However, despite massive public outcry the deal went through and the fire trucks have been coming through.
To protect the deal Central Government sidelined the supposed beneficiaries, Local Authorities.
Emmanuel Ngwarati, the Acting Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government said the government-to-government deal was done lawfully.
He said the role of local regulatory authorities did not apply as contained in Section 3(2)(a) of the Public Procurement and Disposal of Public Assets Act.
“Adequate consultations were made with various stakeholders.
“These included local authorities and the Chief Fire Officers Forum of Zimbabwe (CFOFZ).
It was the CFOFZ that allegedly made a request to government for the facilitation of international procurement of durable and affordable fire tenders.
However, for Kadoma the vehicles are timely as it has struggled to deal with fire emergencies.
A senior engineer recently revealed that they have had to borrow fire trucks from neighbouring Chegutu Town.
Thus the latest acquisition places Kadoma in good stead to deal with future emergencies.
Contacted for a comment Kadoma Council officials refused to address the cost issue for the trucks.