State committed to fighting corruption, says Msiska

Sat, 08 Jul 2017 13:01:35 +0000

By SIMON MUNTEMBA

GOVERNMENT attaches great importance to the fight against corruption, simply because the developmental gains that are supposed to trickle down to the ordinary Zambian cannot be achieved if corruption is left unchecked.

Secretary to the Cabinet Roland Msiska said corruption was a serious problem in Zambia which needed concerted efforts to fight it.

Dr Msiska said that it was important for each and every one to be part and parcel of the fight against corruption for the betterment of the country.

The Secretary to the Cabinet said this during the Integrity Committee Chief Executive Officer’s forum which brought together heads of institutions to discuss and share experiences of the National Integrity Committee programme in Lusaka yesterday.

He said in order to succeed in the fight against corruption, all public officers and citizens of Zambia needed to embrace the national values and principles espoused in the republican constitution under Article’s 8 and 9.

Dr Msiska said upholding the national values and constitution was the only sure way that interest of the public would be guaranteed.

He explained that the committee programme provided a clear avenue through which the national values and principles which were also reflected in the public service code of ethics could be mainstreamed and implemented across various public institutions.

He implored public and private heads of institutions to take advantage of the existence of integrity committee in their respective organizations to use it as a tool for self-cleansing and for developing proactive service delivery methods and innovations.

“I challenge you to build a culture of professionalism and integrity in your institutions and improve public service delivery for the ordinary Zambian.

“Your corruption preventive efforts must lead to improved service delivery and access the public social-economic needs such as health and education,” Dr Msiska said.

He, however, warned of stern action against chief executive offers that were seemingly frustrating government efforts on implementation of integrity committees.

He warned that the ant-corruption Act number 3 of 2012 section 7 and 8 were very categorical on what to do with a chief executive officer who frustrates government programmes.