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East PS warns against abuse of funds
Chipata, December 9, 2013, ZANIS…..Eastern province permanent secretary Chileshe Mulenga has warned that government will ensure that individuals who siphon public resources needed for development are brought to book.
Dr Mulenga said government was determined to take urgent and decisive steps to continue combating corruption in all its manifestations.
The PS sounded the warning when he officiated at this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day under the theme zero corruption, hundred percent development at Pineview guest house in Chipata yesterday.
Dr Mulenga observed that this year’s theme of the Anti-Corruption Day highlighted one of the biggest impediments to the world efforts to achieve sustainable human development.
He stressed the need to eliminate corruption for people to benefit from the current wave of socio-economic development the country was facing.
Dr Mulenga said this would also reduce the cost of doing business and attract investments in the country.
“It is for this reason that the Anti-Corruption Commission has continued to carryout countrywide capacity building programmes for civil society organizations that have been in turn sensitizing our people in various parts of the province,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary disclosed that six civil society organizations were funded and conducted awareness campaigns in the province.
He stated that corruption was a threat to development, democracy and stability as it aggravated inequality and injustice.
“When public money is stolen for private gain, it means fewer resources to build schools, hospitals, roads and water treatment water treatment facilities, and the general uplifting of peoples lives,” he said.
Dr Mulenga noted that government was aware of the pivotal role of the media in the fight against corruption and stressed the need for the media to partner with citizens in advancing the fight against corruption drive for sustainable development.
He observed that the media in eastern province had continued to work with the ACC in championing the Anti- Corruption agenda.
And ACC Regional manager Raymond Banda said there was need for concerted efforts in the fight against corruption if tangible results were to be achieved.
Mr Banda noted corruption was a huge barrier to the development of the economy and the betterment of lives of the people.
Mr Banda hoped that the decentralization efforts that the institution had embarked on would be rolled out to Eastern province so that it can have offices in some districts.
Meanwhile, Society for poverty Reduction (CSPR) Regional Coordinator Maxwell Nkhoma has commended government for showing political will in the fight against corruption.
Mr Nkhoma said the decision to return the Abuse of Authority clause in the ACC Act was a sign that government was willing to support the fight against corruption.
