Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) is displeased with the latest revelations coming from the just released Auditor General Report on Parastal’s for 2013.
TIZ Executive Director Goodwell Lungu says his organisation is particularly dismayed with the levels of unaccounted for and financial mismanagement of public funds levels which the report has clearly outlined coming from some parastatal companies and other statutory bodies.
TIZ would like to note that it is worrying that the country has continued to lose huge sums of money at the expense of disgruntled and incompetent public officers who have continued not to account for public resources at the expense of many Zambians, says Mr. Lungu.
“ We note that the office of the Auditor General’s reports reveal an overall tone of poor financial and operational performance in most of the audited entities, “he said in a statement obtained by ZANIS in Lusaka, yesterday.
The report highlights some financial and other irregularities with the highest being non-remittance of statutory contributions at K142, 500,901 followed by inadequately supported payments at K6, 479,256.
Other cited financial irregularities include unretired impress which stood at K3,892,884 while unaccounted for funds were at K997,261, adding that irregular payments and wasteful expenditure ranked the lowest at K156,611 and K26,100, respectively.
“ As TIZ, we therefore call on The Republican President His Excellency Mr. Edgar Lungu to consider swiftly taking drastic actions against all parastatal heads that are not performing and accounting for public.
“ In dealing with these officials, we strongly recommend among others outright dismissals of Chief Executive Officers whose parastatals have allowed such irregularities to be perpetuated, “ he said.
Mr. Lungu said Chief Executive Officers of the parastatals should also take clear drastic action on all erring officers who have not acted appropriately to account for public funds in order to save the millions of public funds kwacha.
TIZ recommends that law enforcement agencies should swiftly deal with all culprits cited in the Auditor General’s report. It is not enough to continue paying lip service when huge public funds are being lost.
The time for lip service is over, as it is now time to take drastic action and produce tangible results that will benefit many Zambians. We also want to put it on record that as TIZ, we will not allow recycled people with corrupt or criminal records to continue serving in these parastatals.
“ We promise as TIZ to follow up all the reports in the Auditor General’s report and name and shame the those whose conduct fall in the category of abuse of office and corruption.
“ We also call on the Republican President to continue with the vision of zero tolerance to corruption left by the Late President Michael Sata, “ he said.
The Auditor Generals’ report was extremely great. All uncovered & missing money should be investigated & find the prepubescent thieves to be brought to justice.
Surely someone is responsible & should not go scotch free because tax payers monies have been looted by thieves in PF.
The majority of Zambians are poor & extremely suffering poverty as that money which is missing & must be accounted for, can help establish factories & employment opportunities.
The PF must account for the embezzled money, all those involved in corrupt activities should be made to back pay all that they looted with interest.
Justice must prevail please.
The Skeleton Key
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It is not right to involve the President in each and every allegation of ineffiency, incompetence or misconduct by public officials. What stopped TIZ from writing directly to the public officers to complain about their alleged poor preformance? Even citizens taking legal action against public officials where it is justified is permissible under existing laws.Try to solve grassroot problems from the grassroot. Stop inciting the President to take drastic action when other options are available. When TIZ is found to be overzealous and inspired, then TIZ must also take the blame and make an apology.
If DPP can be taken to court by a mere citizen, why not do the same to the heads of these parastatals and govt ministries?