ZICA urges govt not to delay State Audit Act further

Government has been called upon not to delay any further in bringing into force the Public Audit Act and the State Audit Act.

Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA) is reiterating its call on government to issue statutory instruments that will operationalise the two Acts.

ZICA president Jason Kazilimani says it is his institute’s view that in the absence of these Act, the stability and effectiveness of the Auditor General’s Office is being affected.

Mr. Kazilimani says ZICA also calls on government to expedite the process of filling the vacant position of the Auditor General.

Speaking at a quarterly media briefing held in Lusaka Mr. Kazilimani said the office of the Auditor General is an important governance institution that should not remain vacant for a long time.

And Mr. Kazilimani notes that ZICA holds the view that the austerity measures announced by government will only materialize with full commitment to fiscal discipline.

He says his institute calls on government to enhance procedures to ensure fiscal responsibility and debt sustainability.

Meanwhile Mr. Kazilimani has observed the need to clarify matters around the desired support from International Monetary Fund (IMF) bailout.

He states that ZICA believes that without the IMF support, the risk of debt distress will continue to impact negatively on the Zambian economy while exposing it to numerous economic challenges.

Mr. Kazilimani says his institute therefore calls on government to revisit its borrowing plans to avoid compromising Zambia’s debt sustainability strategy.

On the National Health Insurance Act, Mr. Kazilimani has appealed to government to ensure that funds collected from citizens under this laws are strictly ring-fenced.

He says these funds should be utilized for the intended purpose in line with the objectives of the national health scheme.