Maravi

(TIMES) W’ll deal with corrupt officials – Mwanawasa

W’ll deal with corrupt officials – Mwanawasa
By Times Reporter

PRESIDENT Mwanawasa is shocked by public officers who repeatedly award contracts to companies which have previously done shoddy works. The president has since directed that all public officers found culpable for continously awarding contracts to such companies should face the law. Commenting on the recent audit report submitted to the Auditor General’s office, Dr Mwanawasa said the report revealed high levels of misconduct and irregularities done with apparent complicity of public officers.

He said it was surprising to see so many misdeeds and yet officers kept silent on such important matters and maintained that those found guilty of such vices would equally face the law. Dr Mwanawasa was answering questions from journalists at Lusaka’s International Airport shortly after his arrival from Madagascar where he had gone for a three-day state visit yesterday. He said the report revealed many irregularities regarding firms that did shoddy jobs but were still awarded contracts.

“I hope witnesses, prosecutors at the courts can assist me in looking after the public property by ensuring the misguided, criminals and crooks are brought to book. I didn’t like what I read, I knew that things were wrong but I did not know that they were wrong as meant to appear,” he said.

He said some public officers tasked with the responsibility of looking after resources did not deserve to be given such jobs because of the manner in which they handled issues. He said he had asked his legal advisor Darlington Mwape to separate and identify the cases to be handed over to law enforcement agencies.

The President said the cases would soon be handed over to the police, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and other law enforcement agencies for prosecution

Last month, Dr Mwanawasa directed the office of the Auditor General to institute investigations on Tomorrow Investment, a local construction firm, for allegedly performing poor work in several parts of the country while continuously being awarded Government contracts.

Meanwhile, Dr Mwanawasa who was accompanied by the First Lady Maureen arrived at about 13:46 hours aboard the Presidential Challenger and was welcomed by Vice-President Rupiah Banda, Cabinet ministers, defence chiefs and senior Government officials.

Earlier, the President described his tour to Madagascar as fruitful and an eye opener.

Labels: ACC, CORRUPTION, MWANAWASA

posted by MrK @ 4:55 AM