LUNGU

By CHARITY MOONGA-
JUSTICE Minister Edgar Lungu has called on the office of the Investigator General to take a leading role in promoting justice and good governance.
Mr Lungu said that most Zambians did not know the role of the Investigator General, who is also the country’s Ombudsman.
The minister said this when Investigator General Caroline Sokoni and the President of the Association of Ombudsmen and African Mediators (AOMA) Paulo Tjipilica called on him at his office yesterday.
He said the Investigator General should not operate in isolation but work with other Government departments to promote peace and justice.
Mr Lungu said different kinds of injustice had continued to occur to the Zambian people, hence the need for them to know about the role of the Investigator General in promoting justice.
“Most people do not know the role of Ombudsman on issues of governance, so it is important for this office to be known by the general public so that their problems are sorted out,” Mr Lungu said.
“The primary objective of this office should be known by the people.”
Speaking earlier, Ms Sokoni said AOMA had continued to make great strides in sorting out issues affecting the poor people in Zambia.
“We are committed to speaking for the common people and addressing their needs,” Ms Sokoni said.
She said Zambia had continued to push for closer ties among African countries in championing the cause of poor people.
Ms Sokoni was speaking at the executive committee meeting of AOMA in Lusaka.
She said Zambia was representing the Sothern African region and that was why it was hosting the meeting. AOMA had also successfully signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the African Union in 2011.
Mr Tjipilica said his organisation was determined to promote dignity for Africans.
Meanwhile, Mr Tjipilica thanked the Zambian Government for its generosity in hosting many Angolans.
“We are always touched by Zambia’s hospitality not just to us but all other countries in Africa,” he said.