Public sector processes should break bureaucracies, says economist

By MUSHIMA MULEMENA

ECONOMIST Keith Hamusute says Government needs to streamline public sector processes to support economic growth and ensure the country achieves its development targets.

Following President Hakainde Hichilema's warning to newly appointed ministers against bureaucratic delays that discourage investment, slow economic growth and deny Zambians employment opportunities, Mr Hamusute says unnecessary procedures remain a hindrance to the achievement of the Grow Zambia Agenda.

"Bureaucracy is not necessarily harmful, as it can serve as a risk management tool, but unnecessary procedures should be removed to improve efficiency and speed up decision-making across government ministries," Mr Hamusute said on Millennium TV.

He said ministries should review their processes to identify procedures which were essential and those that could be eliminated, explaining that digitisation could also help reduce red tape, as some permits could now be applied for and approved online.

"President Hichilema's warning about removing red tape to deliver is timely but should be understood within the broader context of government's economic objectives.

The Grow Zambia Agenda can only be achieved if processes are streamlined to allow development activities to proceed without unnecessary delays," Mr Hamusute said.

Ends.