When the Road Development Agency (RDA) awarded a K278.8 billion contract to Copperfields Mining Services Limited for the upgrade of the Pedicle Road in DR Congo, it was hailed by PF supporters and its media as empowerment for local people.
But information has emerged that apart from being irregularly awarded, the K278 billion contract has been given to President Michael Sata’s personal friend and PF financier – Irvin Chilufya, a Kitwe based Jerabo.
Finance bank owner Rajan Mahtani is also part of the deal as his bank is procuring the equipment. Mahtani’s professionbal insurance outfit is also insuring the construction just to make sure the money goes back to the financiers of PF.
Government sources have told the Watchdog that Irvin Chilufya is one of the Copperbelt Jerabos (criminals) who financed the PF for the September 2011 elections.
According to high ranking government sources, President Michael Sata will get back some of the money from Irvin Chilufya.
The contract to upgrade the Pedicle Road from gravel to tarmac was in the MMD government awarded to Fratelli Locci of Italy at a cost K313.9 billion.