President Mwanawasa has expressed disappointment at the high number of Zambian High Commissioners and Ambassadors who were allegedly abrogating financial regulations in their missions.
Addressing Zambian High Commissioners and Ambassadors accredited to various countries at State house today, Dr. Mwanawasa said he had received reports that most envoys were disregarding laid down financial regulations as they run the missions abroad.
He said the alleged rampant disregard for financial regulations has prompted him to send auditors to foreign missions to carry out special audits.
“I am disappointed to note that the preliminary information I have gathered so far paints a negative picture. Most of you are not managing the public resources that are entrusted to you diligently,” he said.
Dr. Mwanawasa has since warned high commissioners and ambassadors saying he would not hesitate to discipline any one of them who would be found mismanaging public funds.
“You should all be mindful that government does not have sufficient resources. I therefore, expect you top be responsible enough to exercise prudent management of the meager resources available,” he said.
The President has also reminded the envoys that their primary role was to encourage and influence the flow of investment from the countries they operated from into Zambia.
He pointed out that Zambia has recorded positive strides towards recovering from the economic depression the country suffered before he assumed office.
“Zambia is not an island and we do not on our own have sufficient resources to exploit the abundant inert wealth which this country is endowed with. We should invite the outside to bring the much needed foreign direct investment to come and assist us develop this country,” he said.
He said ambassadors and high commissioners have a duty to understand and articulate various government policies and development achievements to interested parties in their countries of accreditation.
Dr. Mwanawasa further called on the envoys to be proactive and innovative by coming up with useful and creative ideas that could assists government steer the country to accelerated development.
The President also warned the envoys against criticizing government and its policies in the pretext of being intellectuals.
“A diplomat must demonstrate his or her intellectualism within the confines of government policies. As diplomats, you are not expected to express personal opinions, but rather you should always champion the position of government on any given issue of interest to Zambia,” he warned.
Dr. Mwanawasa however expressed hope that the diplomats would continue drive Zambia, through their efforts, towards achieving an economic success.
He thanked them for the efforts they have made to develop the country in their discharge of duties.
The Zambian diplomats accredited to foreign countries have been attending a 2008 Heads of Missions conference since Monday this week.
Meanwhile, President Levy Mwanawasa is expected in Katete district in Eastern Province next week to drum up support for the Movement for Multi-party Democracy (MMD)candidate Reuben Banda in the Milanzi constituency Parliamentary by-election.
According to a State House programme availed to ZANIS in Katete today by Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Kelvin Kamuwanga, Dr Mwanawasa is expected to take off from Lusaka on Monday at 14:30 hours and arrive at Katete Air Strip at 15:40 hours.
On Tuesday morning, he will pay a courtesy call on His Royal Highness Paramount Chief Gawa Undi of the Chewa people at his palace and later meet Chiefs Kawaza and Kathumba at chief Kawaza’s palace.
The Itinerary indicates that later in the afternoon on the same day, the President will hold a rally at Kawaza village.
On Wednesday, Dr Mwanawasa is expected to hold another rally at Kagoro Basic School grounds from 11:00 hours after which he will depart for Lusaka at 13:00.
ZANIS/ENDS/LN/CLM
Dont steal our money just because we send you abraod please.
Japan, RSA, USA ambassodors take note.
Why single out these 3?You either have info that you can submit to relevant authorities or could simply be a vendetta against Messrs Lewanika,Simasiku and Mbula.
Diplomats yu know LPM.He will just bring yu back home like MBITA so dont be excited become geniouses.Mind yu if yu are stealing we will catch up with yu.
take them to be checked if the re mentally fit to even serve us cos all we get from them is like they are our masters cos they start getting their belly big and round and start using their bellies to think instead of their heads.They are out there to represent Zambians living where they are sent.
The Former VP and ambassador in China-Katoloshi is busy making deals, some of them not so clean.. he is also under performing and committing more time to personal deals.
I am not surprised that there is a uncontrolled conduct of financial matters in our foreign service. Rupiah Banda praised the foreign service when he should have known that it is full of thieves. LPM’s appointment of relatives to these offices has now tied up his hands from effective actions. I have no doubt that LPM will not be able to discipline his relatives as he is bound by natural sentiments to protect them. I see the day that LPM leaves office will be a day for a Tsunami!
Doese anyone know what has happened to the Zambia’s high commissioner to Namibia ? Because yestaday another person was sworn in but i havent heard what happened to the then high commissioner ?
Arrest them! How dare they misuse taxpayers’ money?
Development specialist must know that any Zambian has a right to be appointed into any capacity he is capable of performing well.That is the way it should be.Stop talking abbout tribal politics here.When LPM appointed Nevers Mumba no one accused him of tribal politics.If you have names of people that are related to LPM lets analyse them and their qualifications and see who is capable and who doesnt warrant such appointments.These are issues that we need to be discussing not just accusing our president for nothing
LPM should sack any gvt staff who are not doing what they should be doing.They are disgrace not only to the president but to the nation as a whole.So fire them and the rest will sit up too.Corruption is unacceptable.Our children should learn from us and can develop their integrity from us as their role models
And if they are busy stealing, why doesn’t LPM fire them?
That is what the press conference was insinuated to be for.So we should have encouraged LPM to sack them rather than attack him.We also need to help him to expose all these thieves and corrupt leaders so he can act
#Ba Gibby I don’t think there is anything tribal in 6.In my own understanding he means relatives somthing you will not see in the UK or the rest of the western world.No bululus appointed Gordon Brown or George Bush.But in Zambian politics it is right there in your eyes.Levy could not discipline his relative for immorality.
I would find it hard as well if 3/4 of my cabinet were my relatives.How do you fire your in laws or cousins or uncles?
13 thanks for your comment which i totally agree with.But for the sake of us who dont know who is bululu to who we would appreciate such information so we can join in the condemnation of such acts.I just find it difficult to criticise someone without facts.All i ask is expose who is there as a relative to the president then all of with a unified voice can utter our views which prexsumably would be stronger than a few people voicing their concerns.We certainly dont need corruption in our country and all of us should stand against it.That way we can help even in a small way to shape our country
Thats the way to go Mwanawasa. These people will definitely tarnish your good name if you don’t deal with them. No one should ever be allowed to misuse tax money
#14 that is a fact.Dr.LPM Sc, well done.Those guys are just there enjoying our money.Expose them more and take them to court,we pay alot of tax.
The Embassy in Russia is the worst managed.Come over here and see for yourself.
late though,a comment can help.pipo a thief is a thief full stop.if the thief is related to powers and is in public office and steals,then he has no regard fo the relative in highier office,therefore the most honorable thing is to cut both the job and close relation.HE plz fire them if found wanting,relative or not + visit them promptly with the law,gogo zed.
LPM is dishing out empty threats! Why does he love talking tough when his bite is as soft as a cotton ball? This man is really empty-brained!
The Auditor General has been issuing many reports illustrating how thievery has been perfected in all LPM’s GRZ ministries and departments. What has he done to stop the rot? Nothing! I guess his conduct of national affairs shows that Zambians are living in a failed state!