Thu, 08 Feb 2018 12:55:14 +0000
By MAILESI BANDA
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu has ordered law enforcement officers and security wings to prosecute without delay public officers, including ministers involved in financial misconduct.
President Lungu said there is no immunity for ministers and controlling officers found misappropriating funds, adding that security wings should prosecute cases without fear.
Mr Lungu said he will not interfere with the work of investigative and security wings in seeking justice for public resources.
President, Lungu also appealed to the courts to speed up cases related to financial misconduct that are brought before them.
The President was speaking when he opened a seminar for ministers and controlling officers on prudent financial management practices.
Mr. Lungu directed the Public Service Commission to ensure that erring officers are dealt with under the public service regulations. “I therefore direct the Public Service Commission to ensure that erring officers are dealt with in line with the public service regulations and not allow disciplinary cases to be resolved through transfers.”
“Controlling officers shielding officers should also be reported immediately to the Secretary to the Treasury for action,” the President said.
Mr Lungu said for him to monitor the performance of ministers and controlling officers, the Secretary to the Cabinet was directed to include prudent management of public resources as one of the performance assessment criteria.
He noted that workers in the public sector need to work hard to develop the country by using public resources prudently.
And President, Lungu said Government has taken note of the complaints from the Auditor General’s report and has since embarked on implementing public financial management reforms in planning and budgeting revenue administration to ensure the prudent use of resources.
“Government has prepared and submitted the Public Financial Management Bill to Parliament to stiffen regulatory and sanction regime that will see fines and jail sentence of up to five years imprisonment for offenders,” he said.
Giving a vote of thanks, Home Affairs Minister, Stephen Kampyongo, appealed to security wings to prosecute corruption cases while the minsters and controlling officers are still serving and stop targeting them when they leave office.
