Upgrading of controller of audit a welcome move
THE amendments of the public financial management and upgrading of the office of the controller of audit to permanent secretary level shows the good will and commitment of the PF administration to curb financial mismanagement, says Edwin Lifwekelo. Mr Lifwekelo, a former UPND deputy spokesperson said yesterday that the amendment of the public financial management should be commended by all Zambians because the move will safeguard resources against fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement and maintain reliable financial data. Mr Lifwekelo said the fact that Zambians and watchdog institutions like the AntiCorruption Commission (ACC), Auditor-General's and media houses had exposed alleged corruption in some public institutions showed the levels of transparency of the current Government. “The fact that some Government officials have been fired by the President in the past on allegations of corruption and more are being retired or suspended to allow smooth investigation on alleged corruption should give Zambians confidence that Government means well,” Mr Lifwekelo said. He also said the massive economic infrastructure development being rolled across Zambia was a testimony of resilience by Government under President Edgar Lungu in growing and improving lives of many Zambians. Mr Lifwekelo said Government had shown that it was determined and remained focused to improving lives of Zambians. Mr Lifwekelo said there was no room for tribal talk in Zambia, adding that tribal remarks attributed to UPND vice president Geoffrey Mwamba and some UPND MPs in Parliament were retrogressive. He said the UPND vice president and UPND MPS fond of uttering tribal talks must be condemned by all Zambians. “We fully support views by Vice President Inonge Wina that indeed there is need for legislatures to criminalise tribal and hate speech in this country. “It is a fact that a number of Zambians have left UPND after discovering how embedded tribalism was in the party,” Mr Lifwekelo said.