Government is determined to make Zambia a credible nation and worthy of investments, Chipata District Commissioner Nicholas Banda has said.
Mr. Banda said this would made possible since Zambia is internationally regarded as a credible investment destination because zero rating to corruption by the new deal government of President Levy Mwanawasa’s government.
He said there is need to fight corruption, which he said does not good for investments as it causes instability of prices commodities and services.
He said economic instability due to corruption renders proper business planning impossible to for investments.
Mr. Banda was speaking Friday during the official opening of a one day workshop by Transparency International (TI) on monitoring, evaluation of projects and corruption to the District Development Coordination Committee (DDCC)members.
He also stated that dishonest businesses and individuals amass huge profits through corruption and evasion of tax at the expense of the less privileged in society.
Mr. Banda appealed to the members of the DDCC to respond to civil society demands for higher levels of integrity and accountability among public officials.
The district Commisioner said in a corrupt economy, prices of goods and services become high and inaccessible to the less privileged.
He called on DDCC members and other public service workers to ensure integrity and transparency in their course of duty.
“Each individual and organization in governance needs to uphold his integrity and continue keeping corruption in check, if it is to be fought,” he said.
Mr.Banda urged participants to increase their understanding of corruption,its challenges and how to overcome them, in order to bring development to the district.
The District Commissioner said the only way that Zambians could help increase investments is by ensuring that they are corruption free as this would instill confidence in would be investors.
ZANIS/HN/CMM/ENDS/MM.