Mr Yamba has, meanwhile, said the revised Public Finance Management Bill soon to be presented to Parliament would, among other key matters, create a special committee to effectively deal with financial crimes in the country.
He warned that failure by any controlling officers to surcharge erring officers linked to misappropriation of the public funds would subsequently lead to the invocation of Clause 30 of the Public Finance Act of 2004.
“The committee shall be informed accordingly on the progress of the matter,” Mr Yamba said.
He said this yesterday when he appeared before a Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) chaired by Howard Kunda to respond to various queries on the report of the Auditor General on the financial year ended 2016.
Mr Yamba told the committee that there was need for more punitive measures to deal with erring officers, and was confident the revised Public Finance Management Bill would enforce severe charges.
The Bill, he said, had provided for punitive measures to punish office holders for failure to provide necessary information to the Auditor General.
Mr Yamba said those controlling officers redirecting funds to other projects without authority from the Treasury would equally have to face the wrath of the law.
He said there was need to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of public resources because it was such a manner that would result in the realisation of many social economic benefits for the good of all citizens.
Earlier, Mr Kunda and his members emphasised the need for Mr Yamba to ensure controlling officers were sensitised on the need to uphold prudent use of finances while always consulting the Treasury before making any redirection of funds to other programmes.
Patriotic Front (PF) Mkushi Member of Parliament Doreen Mwape said there was need for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to bring ambassadors and high commissioners to respond to audit queries instead of being represented since they were the ones in charge of funds.
If the biggest controlling officer is not dealt with, It’s all a none starter!
If a witness is required Kambwili would be available I am sure. He’s been volunteering the information even before you asked anyway.
You remember how Kambwili forcefully brought back Nevers Mumba as Ambassador to Canada? It can be done.
Just talk no action
You have enough powers already
What a country!
BWANA ST
WHAT ABOUT THE MISALLOCATION OF FUNDS WHERE AFTER PARLIAMENT HAS VOTED FOR FUNDS TO BE USED FOR DEPARTMENTS OR CERTAIN PROJECT’S THE ACTUAL MONIES ARE DIVERTED TO OTHER USES. THIS IS RAMPANT AND IS UNDER YOUR CONTROL. THIS LEADS DIRECTLY TO UNDER-FUNDING OF MINISTRIES AND SPENDING AGENCIES RESULTING IN UNDER PERFOMANCE OF GOVT IN GENERAL
Mr yamba thanks so much O wish this could be done speedily the way it happened to teachers with fake results
Then you have the koswe theives in state house saying ” bring evidence”
Thorough independent investigations should be carried out to know actually who errored, othewise some controlling officer will sacrifice innocent juniors. Culprits hav a tendance of turning around despite them being to the forefront in giving instruction in misapplication of funds. Get out the rotten eggs.
it is the controlling officers who are eating the money….so how do they bring anyone to court….
ECL says we are operating under of rule of law, well if you misappropriate funds, technical term for theft then you have committed a crime.
Rule ofvlaw is there to charge these pipo. Charge them. It won’t happen as too many pipo in the ministry chains are
are complicent.
All these committees chew money and achieve F??? ALL
A committee? You already have a committee. It’s called The Zambia Police. Take the AG Report and show them who has stolen.
Talking predunce when you are not prudent. Cant never as somebody said. The issue of #Cadrementality ha eroded everything.
Ichalo lifupa, Zambia ichalo ca Ba Kwindi, balekolokota economy.
Ba Yamba naimwe your suggestions are indicative of a clueless top civil servant. In most cases Controlling officers authorized/approved work programs or imprest which are now characterized as misappropriated funds. If AG establishes and quantifies such programs as erring/misappropriated, why not report them to ACC where Lungu reported Kambwili..? or utilize the suggestion of @Lombe (MA).
Excitedly Kwindi asuma imbwili!