Sun, 24 Sep 2017 10:26:22 +0000
By ANNIE ZULU
PRESIDENT Edgar Lungu’s directive to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to probe the fire tender purchase indicates his readiness to root out corruption even within his Government, says United National Independence Party (UNIP) secretary-general Alfred Banda.
Mr Banda said this was the way to go if the fight against corruption in the country was to be won. President Lungu has directed the ACC to investigate graft allegations in the procurement of 42 fire tenders at a cost of US$42 million.
President Lungu has also urged institutions mandated to fight corruption to be proactive and quickly investigate alleged wrongdoings so that culprits were brought to book.
“I am interested in finding out what really happened, I want to know if there is a smoke, and if there’s indeed a fire, those charged with the responsibility of bringing the culprit to book will do so,” President Lungu said. Mr Banda told the Sunday Nation in an interview that the President had proved that he was serious about fighting corruption in his Government. “I think this is a very good move, we need to commend the President for this. What is important is how the state authority and for that matter, the President responds to these issues especially when the allegations are made against government officials.
“Whether he will shield them or he encourages the necessary investigative body to do their work. I think that is the way to fight corruption and the step taken by the President so far on this matter is commendable,” said Mr Banda.
He noted that the issue had raised a lot of concern among citizens and that thorough investigations would help clear the air.
“So when the citizenry raise a concern, the government is supposed to listen and that is what President Lungu has done. We are grateful for that reaction, that matter has to be investigated thoroughly, people need to know how that tender was handled. Those in Government must set a right example,” Mr Banda said.
He was however quick to caution that whistle blowers who want to fight corruption must not go on social media to announce evidence of corruption, instead they should go to appropriate institutions to report the matter for investigations to begin.
