18 December 2008
THE Government printing department will be able to print national election materials and handle any other major printing works by mid next year once its full-colour printing equipment arrives from China next year.
This came to light when Works and Supply Minister, Mike Mulongoti toured the Government Printers plant in Lusaka yesterday.
Acting Government Printer, Venansio Lungu said the equipment, which would arrive in Zambia before February next year, would enable the department to compete favourably for jobs with private companies.
Mr Lungu had complained that the Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) had abandoned the department by awarding contracts for the printing of ballot papers and other election material to other firms.
This, he said, was against the fact that the department had acquired equipment from China, which was able to carry out the works.
He said the ECZ had refused to engage the Government printing department because it could not print more than two colours on one material.
"The ECZ changed the goal posts saying they wanted the ballot papers and other election materials in full colour. This is despite the fact that we have been printing the election materials since 1964," he said.
He said the department ordered the new equipment which would be fully functional by April next year and be able to handle the printing of ballot papers should there be any by-elections.
Mr Mulongoti said that he was happy that the Government Printers had made commitment to acquire modern equipment.
The minister said there was no need to cry over the lost opportunities but management should work hard to ensure that it proved to the ECZ and other would-be clients that they were capable of doing the job being taken elsewhere.
On the Government ministries and departments taking their printing works elsewhere despite a Cabinet circular advising them to use the Government Printers, Mr Mulongoti said he would take up the matter with relevant offices.
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