Friday, March 29, 2024

Government to block social media websites in offices during working hours-Msiska

Share

Dr Roland Msiska Secretary to the Cabinet
Dr Roland Msiska Secretary to the Cabinet

SECRETARY to the Cabinet Roland Msiska has said his office is working on policies and systems that will block certain social media websites being accessed in government offices during working hours.

Dr Msiska said President Lungu’s sentiments on Wednesday that most civil servants spend much of their time on Facebook and other social media networks at the expense of work, is a huge concern to the government.

On Wednesday, President Lungu directed: “This culture of sitting and posting stories on Facebook the whole day must come to an end.”

Speaking in an interview yesterday, Dr Msiska said Cabinet Office is working on a programme that will bar the use of certain social media sites during work hours.

“The hardware and software are already in place, and very soon, we will be filtering certain websites in Government offices. What the President said concerning social websites is very true,” Dr Msiska said.

He said his office is working on e-governance and Zamtel, together with the Ministry of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications is already rolling it out.

President Lungu has expressed concern that some civil servants waste time on social media such as Facebook.

And Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications Yamfwa Mukanga said his ministry is working towards restricting civil servants from accessing certain social sites during work hours as over-use of such media is promoting laziness.

Mr Mukanga said his ministry will issue a directive to Zambia Information and Technology Authority to check sites that are abused and block them so that only those that are appropriate during work hours can be accessed.

He was speaking in an interview with journalists in Lusaka yesterday.

“It is sad that technology, which is meant to make work easier, is being abused by not only civil servants, but also those in the private sector. We want to see an empowered staff and work culture which will produce good results because things are not running properly,” he said.

And speaking during the commemoration of the Girls in ICT Day in Lusaka yesterday, Mr Mukanga called for the creation of a global environment that empowers and encourages young women and girls to consider careers in ICT.

He said Government, under the leadership of President Lungu, has demonstrated commitment to employment creation and entrepreneurship with ICT identified as a priority area.

16 COMMENTS

  1. Some f001s above who can’t think beyond their nose have already praised govt for alienated its people from modern technology.does that software block sites on other people’s phones? That sounds like blocking people from using FB.this govt is never short of misplaced priorities and will continue chasing the wind.they failed to close the ZWD at national level and they want to try that again at toilet level.we need medicine in hospitals.

    • @ ganja farmer

      You missed the point. Imagine this blog without mongoloids like “sponge bob” and other parasites?

      Good decision

    • They are not fools, if they use their phones that is up to them. But the majority waste govt time and Internet airtime on unproductive media sites. If they use their money then it is fine, but I bate most of them cannot afford that. GOOD MOVE GOVT.

  2. Render services compliant to what you are paid for. Why misuse public time? The govt should take tough measures and curb this unfortunate trend.

  3. Most people access social media sites on their mobile phones using their data bundles. The biggest problem is that it seems there is “little” work in civil service. Some say, by 11:00hrs they are “done” with their duties, so just waiting for lunch and afternoon stories before knocking off. So if properly supervised, most civil servants would not be lazying about.

  4. If no work to be done because of no money for office programs to work do you expect miracles or positive results even when confines himself in the office

  5. I have worked for very strict employers before and here is my experience. Employees can sit facing a computer for nine hours and still no result to show. Secondly, the moment the supervisor is out of office, work comes to a stand still. In my view,GRZ need to start changing and have out put based targets on a daily basis and stats can be produced to show activity. Agreed SLA’s for each dept such that even not met, agreed actin can be taken. Clear KPA’s as I have seen people works not knowing there expectation. There is a saying that “GRZ ILASUNGA NE FIMPUBA” finally GRZ should provide better mulla.

  6. GRZ departments must set ARCHIVABLE TARGETS on a weekly basis and if these targets are not met the departmental heads must be taken to task and if possible demoted or suspended. When this is strictly implemented, the work attitude in these GRZ departments will definitely change for the better leading to this country developing rapidly!

  7. This is the same GRZ which failed to block the popular ZWD.
    When it comes to misuse of GRZ resources the ministers are the worst culprits, they misuse GRZ vehicles and drivers on unofficial errands such as pickup their girlfriends for shopping and other activities and clever drivers will also find time to fit in their own programs.
    To be honest I think work in the civil service is quite monotonous and boring.

  8. How do they block mobile phone users? Then it means blacking out the whole country. This calls unknown strategies into play. Otherwise this is part of rhetoric we are used to here day in day out. Good day and stay blessed.

  9. Nonsense-when Chagwa himself spends good office time flying around aimlessly and drinking with his foolish corrupt friend RB. Is that productivity?????

Comments are closed.

Read more

Local News

Discover more from Lusaka Times-Zambia's Leading Online News Site - LusakaTimes.com

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading