Govt will be judged by behaviour of civil servants - Chief Nzamane

Govt will be judged by behaviour of civil servants - Chief Nzamane
Written by Agness Changala
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 5:26:54 PM

HOUSE of Chiefs vice chairperson chief Nzamane of Eastern Province has charged that the government will be judged by the behaviour of civil servants. And chiefs yesterday opposed the government's intention to purchase mobile hospitals at a cost of US$53 million [about K301 billion], saying the government must first work on the poor road network in the country.

Debating a motion at the House of Chiefs which sought to remind the government to improve provision of health services, to address shortage of drugs in health centres, lack of ambulances and staffing levels, chief Nzamane said he bled to hear the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) unearth a scam involving K10 billion suspected to have been stolen by some Ministry of Health officials.

However, he said such actions were not only in the Ministry of Health but also other government ministries.

"This government will be judged by the behaviour of civil servants," he said. "It is very clear that the ministry is properly funded but civil servants are misusing funds and I urge the government to look into this seriously."

Chief Nzamane said all erring officers should be dismissed because it was evident that they just devised ways to pocket funds while in office as opposed to working for the people.

He observed that the country had a lot of resources, which were not properly utilised at the expense of many poor Zambians.

"The shortages of drugs are expected because money goes in people's pockets," chief Nzamane said.

He said it was unfortunate but added that the government would be judged by the services it provided to its citizens.

Chief Nzamane demanded that development be taken to rural areas with immediate effect because 60 per cent of the population lived there.

Chief Imwiko of Western Province said K10 billion was a lot of money which could be used to build ten permanent hospitals.

And chief Nsamba of Luapula Province said as much as the idea of mobile hospitals was appreciated, there was need to look into the poor road network in the country before the government could think of purchasing them.

"Let the government grade all the roads to enable the same mobile hospitals get to the remotest part of the country," chief Nsamba said. "In developed countries, this works but in Zambia looking at the current situation, the government will not attain the intended purpose."

Chief Nsamba said he was sure that the mobile hospitals would only work for a few months and go down because of the maintenance costs involved.

Chief Chibale of Central Province wondered how the government was going to maintain the mobile hospitals when it had difficulties maintaining the few existing ambulances in rural areas.

"We are not receiving the idea with confidence but doubt because we are not sure if it will be viable," he said.

However, chief Chibale advised the government to put more permanent structures around the country.

Chief Kashiba of Luapula Province said the idea was good but appealed to the government not to substitute mobile hospitals for permanent hospitals.

Chief Ntambu of North Western Province said if not looked after, the mobile hospitals would die a natural death after few months of operating due to the poor road network.

He said the money should just be used to construct permanent health structures and bring in advanced equipment.

Chief Ntambu said it was unacceptable that some people continued to be evacuated to South Africa at the expense of many poor Zambians.