SECRETARY to the Cabinet Roland Msiska is shocked with high levels of greed and corruption in the public service, citing a case in which a health institution in Northern Province purportedly employed 44 ghost workers. These included a nutritionist to run a mortuary.
Dr Msiska said one health institution in Northern Province included 44 “ghost workers” on the payroll and a nutritionist to run a mortuary when such services were not necessary.
Dr Msiska said this when he addressed public service workers at Chipata College of Education on Monday evening.
“There are a lot of horrors in the public service. In Northern Province we found 44 ghost workers including a nutritionist manning a mortuary with four beds,” Dr Msiska said.
He said 5,000 “ghost workers” in the public service were included on the payroll by selfish people who do not care about the country.
Dr Msiska said petty corruption, selfishness and greed are destroying Zambia’s public service which is the best in Africa after Nigeria and Ghana.
He challenged civil servants to be professional in the execution of their duties because Government wants a corruption-free public service as the country celebrates the Golden Jubilee independence anniversary this year.
[pullquote]“There are a lot of horrors in the public service. In Northern Province we found 44 ghost workers including a nutritionist manning a mortuary with four beds,” Dr Msiska said.[/pullquote]
Dr Msiska also urged civil servants to help Government to deliver quality services and help address the problems in the public service instead of contributing to the challenges being faced.
He also said Government is working on a 10-year payroll structure plan to correct distortions and harmonise salaries.
Dr Msiska said all workers are good planners considering the manner in which they run their homes and that the same attitude should be extended to their government responsibilities.
He also said he does not expect workers to “sit” on files and create an impression that Government is not working.
Eastern Province medical officer Kennedy Malama said in a vote of thanks that he will ensure that the public service is corruption-free and that workers will do their part to achieve this.
Dr Malama commended Cabinet Office for embarking on the harmonisation of salaries, which has boosted the morale of civil servants.
We need to smarter than this.
Centralising the pay system encourages ghost workers.
Logic dictates that you have got to paid close to where you work.
@ Michael, unfortunately common sense is a rare commodity among PF politicians and civil servants. Dr Msiska is not even telling us who has been held responsible for this crime…and for all I know, nothing will happen and the thieving will continue.
How can they report details of a crime in the press? You amaze me.
on the payroll and a nutritionist to run a mortuary when such services were not necessary.
The statement is only showing the level of dochi kubeba phenomenon. PF you slogans are of thieves, hence the happenings in the country.
My sentiments about PF aside ghost workers are not a PF baby. There have been ghost workers since the second Republic. But some bloggers want it to look like they have started now
bwana secretary, lets be serious when reporting certain things! corrupt we may be but no one in his rightful senses can employ a Nutritionist to run a morgue! and how do expect a morgue to have beds? stop joking on serious matters. HRs & accountants including PMOs are involved and they are too smart cadres to employ a driver to run a pharmacy (even if its just on paper).
if i was an appointing authority, i would fire you instantly for joking on serious matters. our country needs to be cleaned of jokers, clowns and corrupt officers!!!
@ 1. poor reading culture among pipo like u mis inform pipo. Ghost workers were initiated by the movement for mass destruction party. this government pf atleast has made an effort even to expose these chap. they will correct this and reduce misuse of public funds. Think!!!! Learn to think positive and not saying rubbish all times
Better Value…..
I totally agree with you.
This SC is making fun of the civil service. He is talking as an outsider who has no inside information. When are we going to have people who are serious to run the public service?
So what measures has he put in place to stop this nonsense? What have you done to your fellow medical doctor colleagues who have been running the affairs of the Ministry of Health for quite a long time now? Are medical doctors so corrupt?
We need to be smarter than this.
Centralising the pay system encourages ghost workers.
Logic dictates that you have got to be paid close to where you work.
Bwana PS please fix this
Just from the statement you can tell that the Secretary is also A gHOST WORKER
I agree with you .How can secretary fail to give full information on such sensitive issue and give the way forward and corrective measures put in place but just mention 10years.
Thanks Mr msiska for exposing such corrupt activities in the civil service. it now remains as to what action Govt will take to punish those involved. Bravo Pf keep up with your good work!
Seal off that institution, then institute summary dismissals while police cargo vehicles are packed ready to whisk away the entire dismissed administration personnel to the proper treatment room. The courts should also stand ready to hand down custodial sentences equivalent to their ages. Their ill-acquired assets must be surrendered to the state.
They are not ghost workers.
They are Nigerians.