.MWALE

By XAVIER MANCHISHI –

THE Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has proposed stiffer punishment for erring public officers cited in the Auditor General’s report.
Moving a motion for the adoption of the report of the Auditor General for the financial year ended December 31, 2012, PAC chairperson Vincent Mwale said culprits of the glaring irregularities cited in the
Auditor General’s reports must face stiffer punishment.
Mr Mwale, who is also Chipangali MMD MP,  also bemoaned the delay by the executive to execute the recommendations of the committee for possible remedial measures.
“Your committee is, however, concerned that though treasury minutes have been received on time, challenges have been experienced in getting feedback on the implementation of its recommendations,” he said.
The PAC chairperson also recommended that Permanent Secretaries should be compelled to provide explanation on previous cases before responding to new cases.
He also called on the improvement of staffing level in the Auditor General’s office to increase its efficiency.
Contributing to the motion, PAC member Lubansenshi Independent MP Patrick Mucheleka said it was saddening that failure to follow procurement procedure, non submission of payment returns were becoming permanent inclusions in the Auditor General’s report.
Mr Mucheleka said the 2012 Auditor General’s report brought out what looks like organised and systematic financial irregularities adding that controlling officers must recover money from erring public officers to curb any recurrence.
Katuba UPND MP Jonas Shakafuswa said there should be no angels in the fight against corruption if the crusade is to earn credibility in the eyes of the members of the public.
Mr Shakafuswa said law enforcement agencies should take keen interest in some of the revelations made in the Auditor General’s report such as the importation of vehicles for the Zambia Army.
Debating the same motion, Senga Hill MMD MP Kapembwa Simbao proposed that ministries should have controlling officers who are not necessarily Permanent Secretaries.