Govt acts against acid export permits scam
By Ludia Ngwadzai
THE Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry has warned against the illegal sale, transfer and misuse of sulphuric acid export permits.
Offenders risk losing their permits and face legal action.
In a public notice seen by The Mast , the ministry expressed concern about reports that some individuals and companies were abusing export permits issued under the Control of Goods Act.
Principal public relations officer Everness Nankala said permits were strictly regulated and were granted on specific terms and conditions.
Nankala said export permits were not transferable and should only be used by the company to which they were issued.
“Companies are prohibited from selling, leasing, assigning, or allowing other entities to use their permits for the export of sulphuric acid or any other controlled products,” she said.
Nankala reminded exporters that sulphuric acid export permits were issued free of charge.
She urged applicants not to engage agents or intermediaries who demanded payment in exchange for facilitating access.
Such practices were unauthorised.
Nankala warned that any individual requesting payment for permit collection services was acting illegally and without official authority.
To strengthen compliance, she said the ministry urged members of the public and stakeholders to report any attempts to buy or sell export permits, offer paid permit agent services or engage in any suspicious misuse of permits.
“Reports and complaints can be submitted to the Department of Domestic Trade at the Government Complex in Lusaka or through the ministry’s official communication channels,” she said.
Nankala warned that companies or individuals found engaging in illegal permit related activities might have their permits revoked and could face further administrative or legal sanctions in accordance with the law.
She said the ministry was committed to transparency, fairness and compliance in the administration of export controls.
Protecting Zambia’s national economic interests was.
