The Patents and Companies Registration Office (PACRO), an executive agency of the Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry has given government the first dividend cheque worth K700, 000,000.
Registrar of Patents and Companies Registration Office, Anessie Michael Banda- Bobo made the presentation in Lusaka today.
Mrs. Bobo said PACRO has since embarked on a five year strategic plan running from 2005 to 2009.
He said the plan is meant among other things, to facilitate the total transformation of PACRO.
Mrs. Bobo said that PACRO is evolving into an institution that is capable of meeting the challenges of the liberalized market economy.
She said PACRO provides the tools and instruments for legalizing businesses thorough which the majority of Zambians are participating in national economic development.
And Commerce, Trade and Industry Minister Felix Mutati said the presentation of the cheque was testimony that Government’s policy was paying off.
In a speech read on his behalf by Commerce Permanent Secretary Davison Chilipamushi, Mr. Mutati commended the staff and management of PACRO for their hard work and discipline which has enabled the institution to make the dividend possible.
Meanwhile, Finance Minister Ng’andu Magande said the dividend cheque will go a long way in enhancing domestic resource mobilization to meet the budget needs.
In a speech read on his behalf by Ministry of Finance and National Planning Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Ngulube, Mr. Magande implored other institutions to take a leaf from PACRO.
It is not by accident that this parastal organisation,which is not even known by many Zambians has paid such large sums of money in dividents to GRZ. This means it can even stand on its own,despite being a grant -based institution.It is a clear testimony of a good management team in place. If you compare it’s line of operation with other parastatals such as struggling ZESCO,Zamtel you will agree with me that PACRO has a less revenue base.
Now what is wrong with these other parastals, especially ZESCO? Simple poor management.This calls for appointing capable people to run public institutions not one’s relations.
Twatola ba PACRO.
How I pray that other parastatals would indeed take a leaf of this. ZESCO, ZAMTEL,ZANACO, ZCCM AHLODINGS and others please learn something from this. Remember we are responsible for the true development of our national not “ama infestors”.
God Bless ZAMBIA