No development without the rule of law – Sanderson

No development without the rule of law – Sanderson
Written by Mutuna Chanda in Kitwe
Sunday, June 21, 2009 3:19:24 PM

KITWE resident Murray Sanderson has said there would be no development without an honest and transparent government. And Copperbelt University (CBU) economics lecturer Mundia Kabinga has said it will be more economical for Zambians to dialogue among themselves than spending US$2 million yearly on the Africa Peer Review Mechanism (APRM).

During an Economics Association of Zambia (EAZ) organised public discussion on the African Peer Review Mechanism in Kitwe on Tuesday evening, Sanderson, who is also Zambia Institute of Public Policy Analysis (ZIPPA) chairman, said Zambians needed to get their priorities right.

"We have only to look across our borders to the DRC and Zimbabwe to realise that without the rule of law and honest and accountable government, any kind of development, any prosperity is impossible," Sanderson said.

"Now let us turn to Lusaka and look at the Ministry of Health and the Wildlife Authority where employees have lately committed massive thefts. Are things so much better here in Zambia? Nor is it just Lusaka. Look at our own Kitwe City Council. What happens to the money they receive? We don't know; the city's accounts are no longer audited."

He said Zambia should concentrate on principles, processes, practices and performance instead of policies and purposes.

"The rule of law; this covers the protection of person and property and the prevention of theft and corruption. Specific requirements under this head are: an efficient and incorruptible police service; a special enforcement body to follow up reports of the Auditor General and ensure honest handling of government monies; a law to protect whistle blowers,” said Sanderson.

"Honest and transparent government which is efficient and accountable to the general public; this could be achieved through introducing closely monitored and effective customer service charters so that civil servants start to live up to their name."

And Kabinga said a country did not need the APRM if it had internal policy dialogue. He cited Botswana and Namibia as examples of countries that did not need the APRM.

Kabinga however said countries that probably needed the APRM were those that lacked internal policy dialogue. He noted that Zambia lacked internal policy dialogue in its political, economic and corporate governance spheres. Kabinga also wondered whether the APRM recommendations would be implemented in Zambia.

But APRM National Governing Council (NGC) spokesperson Amos Chanda said there were examples of peer pressure among African countries working on those that were not in tow with good democratic principles.

And APRM NGC chairperson Tamala Kambikambi said much as African states had problems, that did not stop them from giving suggestions to fellow countries.