Sun, 11 Dec 2016 11:36:33 +0000
DEALING with cases of graft not only requires the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to be vigilant in the fight against the vice but also adopting a multi-sectoral approach.
The persistent depressing exposures of high level cases of corruption in government ministries, departments and institutions is a tip of the ice-berg.
And we think indications by President Edgar Lungu to reshuffle civil servants within the ministries and effect transfers to fight corruption is an initiative that is long overdue.
A lot of talk has been done and all that is needed now is taking the necessary action.
It is worrying to note the high number of permanent secretaries that have been turned away by the Parliamentary Accounts Committee (PAC) on the basis of failure to answer to follow up questions emanating from the publications of the Auditor General’s report.
Does this explain why civil servants easily find loopholes to syphon public resources?
Permanent secretaries and heads of public institutions have a huge responsibility to ensure that stringent measures that are devised to prevent loss of public funds and achieving zero audit queries by 2018 are implemented.
But how can this be attained when individuals entrusted to be vanguards of prudent management of public resources are themselves thirsty of corruption?
It is virtually impracticable!
The construction of luxurious mansions in Chinsali district of Muchinga for the provincial minister and permanent secretary Bright Nundwe at a total cost of K4, 766, 775. 07, for instance, is a pure waste of government resources.
Attempting to justify the construction of the two houses at such an astronomical cost in the face of the prevailing economic hardships is insulting the intelligence of tax payers.
What more evidence does the ACC need to secure a conviction in a case of this nature? Did the Muchinga permanent secretary follow the laid down tendering procedures to arrive at that total cost? Which government institution approved the construction plans?
Much as the construction project may have been approved, it is inconceivable to undertake construction of mansions at such an exorbitant amount in Muchinga province where construction materials are expected to be relatively cheaper than in Lusaka.
Surely, ACC does not need expert knowledge to ascertain and collaborate facts in a matter such as this one.
Out of public interest, it would be vital for the ACC to dig deeper and verify the procurement of the materials for the two house so far as the colossal amounts involved point to sheer abuse of public resources.
We think that the ACC will have no excuse for their failure to attain a high rate of prosecution of corrupt cases considering that its operational budget for 2017 has been increased by 69.5 percent.
Does the ACC need reshuffle too to achieve high levels of effectiveness in the manner the corruption cases are handled?
Probably, it is the only sure way to reinvigorate the fight against corruption in this country.
As we have stated in the past, the Office of the Auditor General must have the prosecutions department to work in liaison with the ACC to ensure that coordination of evidence between the two institutions is thoroughly done. This is likely to enhance the rate of securing convictions in the prosecution of corrupt cases.
Supposing all Government institutions adhered to working at reducing the levels of corruption, would Zambia be corrupt free?
Well, we do not think so in the sense that corruption is not only prevalent in public institutions but also rife in the private sector.
A corruption-free Zambia is only possible if each and every citizen regardless of whether one is a civil servant or not joins in the fight against corruption.
