Maravi

Govt must put up controls to avoid financial misappropriation - YMCA

Govt must put up controls to avoid financial misappropriation - YMCA
By Speedwell Mupuchi
Friday February 16, 2007 [02:00]

GOVERNMENT must put up serious internal and external controls to avoid gross financial misappropriation, Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) executive director Annie Ngwira has demanded. And Ngwira said her association was dismayed at the huge unemployment levels among youths, which stood at 50 per cent.

In a statement yesterday on the reported theft of K36 billion by public servants, Ngwira said prudent financial management was a critical area the government must address. She said that the recent revelation by President Mwanawasa that public servants had allegedly stolen K36 billion was alarming and disturbing to the country and the youths. She wondered what remedial measures the Minister of Finance was putting in place to ensure that theft of such huge sums of money does not recur.

Ngwira urged youths to demand answers to the many thefts in the public service. "The government must give a clear picture regarding this scam and other vices that have transpired in the past. Surely such retrogressive steps exhibited by some and not all civil servants is unacceptable," she said. Ngwira expressed sadness that youths, who have continued to be disadvantaged, have not risen to the challenge with utmost rage and anger over the theft of K36 billion. "We are surely not calling for national turmoil or an uprising, but our disgust must be shown to government as these funds must be replaced," she said.

Ngwira said unemployment among youths in Zambia stood at 50 per cent. She said it was disheartening to note that little had been done to look at the plight of the youths who were faced with high levels of unemployment, alcohol and substance abuse, lack of recreation facilities, dismal educational standards, poor housing for low and middle income groups of people and an ever rising number of orphans and vulnerable children and street children.

"As Zambia YMCA, we would like to say no to youth unemployment, no to starvation, no to poor housing, no to high tax obligations, no to poor health facilities, poor education and lack of adequate recreation facilities because of stealing," she said. "We implore all civil society organisations, individuals and all concerned to rise to the occasion and say no to abuse of public resources meant for national development."




http://www.postzambia.com/post-read_article.php?articleId=22684

Corruption
By Cocerned citizen
Friday February 16, 2007 [02:00]

I am at a loss to understand the implication of the decision by the government of Mwanawasa to withhold the names of the thugs involved in the theft of the K36 billion. Going by the actions taken against these thugs as announced in Parliament by the minister of finance and national planning, does it mean that these thugs have escaped justice?

Surcharging, reprimanding, suspending or indeed dismissing these thugs is not good enough. The excuse given for withholding their names is not justifiable. Was it not the same Mwanawasa who went to Parliament and exposed his predecessor's financial misconduct?

Chiluba was not in Parliament to defend himself. So what is the difference between Chiluba's case and the case of these 326 thugs? These are double standards and this just goes to confirm that the fight against corruption is selective.

In any case, what was the purpose for Mwanawasa to announce the misappropriation of such a collossal sum of money when culprits are protected.

Mwanawasa should cross-check his facts before making public announcements. He is making too many costly mistakes.

Labels: CORRUPTION, YMCA, YOUTHS

posted by MrK @ 11:55 AM