THE Auditor General’s office is an important wing in the fight against corruption and financial abuse in Government institutions.
By exposing financial irregularities in some parastatal institutions, the Auditor General’s office lays cases for possible prosecution and action as it has been shown in the past.
Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) is therefore, in order to call for disciplinary action against erring officers cited for financial irregularities in the 2012 Parastatals Audit General report.
Reports of missing huge sums of money makes sad reading at a time when many Zambians fail to afford descent meals.
TIZ executive director, Goodwell Lungu goes even further to suggest that those cited for abuse be dismissed in line with the law because such people are  a big risk in the protection  of public funds meant for the benefit of all citizens.
They are a big risk in that, while Government was in a hurry to make sure that all expenditure goes towards development and equitably uplift citizens’ living standards, others were busy pocketing the proceeds.
The revelations that there was failure to produce financial statements, poor management of contracts, poor financial performance, poor administration of loans and advances all point to serious financial loopholes requiring urgent sealing.
Only when action is taken against erring officers will that be a deterrent and serve as warning to perpetrators of office abuse.
Government has demonstrated how allergic it was to any form of corruption and office abuse by taking action in such cases in the past.
The move to arrest financial irregularities would bring about tighter control measures thereby, bringing sanity and accountability of every coin.
By so doing, developmental projects earmarked for national development would not be deprived of the required support.
We, therefore, recommend TIZ for being so meticulous and professional in weeding out all elements that would otherwise upset efforts to fight corruption. COMMENT