HH Demands Accountability from Public Officials

By Masauso Mkwayaya President HAKAINDE HICHILEMA says public officials have a responsibility to remain accountable to the people of Zambia and ensure prudent utilisation of public resources. President HICHILEMA said resources saved through efficient management can be redirected to priority sectors such as free education and healthcare. The Head of State disclosed that he did not travel to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) for the third consecutive time in order to save public resources. President HICHILEMA made the remarks today when he swore in newly appointed Deputy Auditor-General PATRICIA MALAILA. Addressing Ms MALAILA, the President urged her to ensure audits are completed and submitted on time to facilitate prompt corrective action where necessary. He noted that delayed audits serve little purpose, as they often end up being filed away instead of guiding interventions to address identified shortcomings. President HICHILEMA further called on Ms MALAILA to identify weaknesses in the auditing system and bring them to the fore to improve efficiency and accountability. He said the Office of the Auditor-General has a critical responsibility to ensure public resources are utilised for their intended purposes. The President also urged the institution to pay close attention to the misuse of even small amounts of public funds, noting that such losses can accumulate into significant sums when repeated over time. Meanwhile, President HICHILEMA cautioned Zambians against spreading negativity on social media, saying such conduct has the potential to discourage investment. He urged citizens to uphold the law and promote a positive image of the country, noting that this is essential to the successful implementation of the Grow Zambia Agenda.