Nab the erring controlling officers who misused public funds

Dear Editor,

I ALSO wish to add my voice on the call to arrest the controlling officers who were recently cited in the Auditor General’s report for misappropriation of public funds.

The misappropriation of public funds is very unfortunate because embezzlement of public funds is retrogressive to the economic development of the country.

Financial irregularities in Government ministries, departments and quasi Government institutions, among others have been reported every year in the Auditor General’s report.

The trend has continued as the erring officers steal public funds with impunity. This should not be the case.

The accountants as the custodians of financial

resources should adhere to the accountancy etiquette by discharging their duties in a transparent and professional manner. Ultimately, this will ensure that every ngwee is properly accounted for.

Besides the financial irregularities reported year in year out, there is the recent revelation in the Auditor General’s audit report that Covid-19 funds amounting to K1.3 billion were not accounted for between February and July this year.

These funds were supposed to be used for the intended purpose. But alas, this was not the case.

However, the Office of the Auditor General headed by Dr. Dick Sichembe is mandated to recommend the Public Prosecutor to institute investigations against the public officers cited in the recent audit report for misappropriation or misapplication of the public resources. This will ensure that the erring officers will be prosecuted.

Zambia is in dire need of the financial resources to spur economic development in different sectors. It is imperative that the officers who misused public funds must be held accountable and possibly face prosecution for their wrong actions.

President Edgar Chagwa Lungu is on firm ground against the public officers who misuse the public resources for personal gain at the expense of national development. President Lungu has reiterated that there will be no sacred cows when it comes to utilisation of public funds by those entrusted with the responsibility.

As a concerned citizen, I implore the appropriate bodies to expedite the process of probing the erring officers cited in the recent Auditor General’s audit report. This is the way to go in ensuring the prudent utilisation of public funds.