TIZ CALLS FOR ANNUAL DECLARATION OF ASSETS FOR GOVT OFFICIALS
By NATION REPORTER
TRANSPARENCY International Zambia (TIZ) has called on government to facilitate the streamlining of annual declaration of assets by public servants.
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Speaking at a media briefing to Media briefing to assess two years of the UPND in government, TIZ chapter president, Priscilla Chansa said government, through the Ministry of Justice should facilitate the streamlining of asset declarations with clear procedures and processes for annual declarations and a monitoring mechanism of the declaration within the year.
Ms. Chansa the introduction of annual declaration of assets must also include the establishment of an autonomous institution or specific directorate under the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to collect the declarations and conduct lifestyle audits.
She said in actualizing the Motion that was passed by Parliament in December 2022, the Ministry of Justice should draft legislation on lifestyle audits for presentation to Parliament, while seeing to it that there was wide consultation in the process.
Ms. Chansa said government, through the ACC, should provide a formal update on ‘Operation Recovery’ and state the worth of forfeited and recovered resources so far.
“This should be coupled with strengthening the mechanism for managing the funds from forfeited and recovered assets,” she said.
Meanwhile, Ms. Chansa said TIZ rated the UPND administration’s performance as moderate in the last two years in strengthening the ACC as the main public body that has the constitutional mandate to fight corruption in Zambia.
She said the UPND administration has taken some positive strides by demonstrating political will, promptly appointing a substantive Director General, Commissioners, and increasing budgetary allocations towards the ACC.
Ms. Chansa said the funding to the Commission increased from K72.3 million in 2021 to K 101.1 million in 2022, a 39.8 percent increase, which can be cited as a clear indication of actualizing the political will to fight corruption more effectively.
She also said despite the positive steps government was yet to deliver on their commitments to finalize the National Anti-Corruption Policy, to amend anti-corruption laws, and to enhance the operational independence of the ACC.
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