TIZ calls on ECL to step up fight against corruption

The Transparency International Zambia has called on President Lungu to lead by example and ensure that the presidency is insulated from all corrupt activities and corrupt elements.

TIZ Chapter Presidency Ruben Lifuka says the presidency should be the epitome of public integrity and the nationals should look to this institution for inspiration.

And Mr. Lifuka has also appealed to President Lungu not to shield any permanent secretary, cabinet minister or party operative from investigation and prosecution where this is warranted.

He has recognized that the indiscipline and wanton wastage of public resources through the procurement of unnecessary exorbitant public goods and services should come to an end in 2019.

The TIZ Chapter President says it is unacceptable that government cannot in one breath preach austerity and in another spend public funds with careless abandon like in the case of the Michael Chilufya Sata toll gate on the Copperbelt.

Speaking to QTV, news Mr. Lifuka has described it as a mockery to the suffering masses when some cabinet ministers are busy trying to justify why government spent so much on one project in the country with several competing needs.

He has however challenged President Lungu to put his money where his mouth is and issue an unequivocal directive to all ministries, statutory bodies and government agencies to clean their houses of corruption and all those ministers and controlling officers who will fail to comply with the directive, should be relieved of their duties.

Mr. Lifuka has urged President Lungu to make it his priority in 2019 to monitor the performance of all leaders in the public sector in addressing corruption in their operations.

Meanwhile the TIZ Chapter President has appealed to President Lungu to emulate Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and order the anti corruption commission, working with the Zambia Revenue Authority and the Financial Intelligence Centre to conduct life style audits of all public officials starting with himself and his ministers.

He is of the view that such an unprecedented action will send a strong signal to the investor community and the Zambians that his government means business in the fight against corruption.