Maravi

Cotter advises Rupiah over anti-corruption fight

Cotter advises Rupiah over anti-corruption fight
By Chibaula Silwamba
Fri 04 Dec. 2009, 04:01 CAT

NEW Irish Ambassador to Zambia Tony Cotter yesterday told President Rupiah Banda that impartial and effective implementation of the anti-corruption policy is crucial for Zambians and the international community to have confidence his government’s commitment to tackle corruption.

And President Banda has called for enhanced trade between Zambia and Ireland, and invited Irish investors and tourists to come and explore the various opportunities that exist in the country.

Presenting his credentials to President Banda at State House in Lusaka, Ambassador Cotter said Ireland welcomed the Zambian government’s anti-corruption policy and the various measures President Banda announced to strengthen the fight against corruption as well as the President’s directive that forensic systems and procurement audits be undertaken in all major spending ministries.

“While these measures are welcome, it is the actual implementation of your anti-corruption policy that is crucial. The effective, affective and impartial implementation of the policy at all levels is crucial so that Zambians and the broader international community can have full confidence in your government’s commitment to tackle corruption,” Ambassador Cotter said.

On voter registration, Ambassador Cotter said it was important that timely and transparent continuous voter registration took place in each province before 2011.

“I look forward to being here for your elections in 2011. It is through free and fair elections that the choices made by government are judged by their own citizens,” he said.

Ambassador Cotter also said Irish missionaries, among others, were the first to come to Zambia and to date, they continued to support the delivery of education and health services.

“Zambia is one of only seven countries supported by Ireland in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2008, Ireland disbursed some 14 million euro to the Ministry of Education. It is gratifying to see real progress being made in this sector with over 15,000 teachers recruited in the last three years,” said Ambassador Cotter, adding that Ireland would continue supporting Zambia in various social-economic sectors.

And President Banda urged Ambassador Cotter to visit all parts of Zambia and see potential areas of development in which Ireland could be involved in.
President Banda also told Ambassador Cotter that the anti-corruption policy would addressed the loopholes that existed in the government system to fight corruption.

“I want to assure you and other cooperating partners that all the rendered assistance will be used for the intended purposes,” said President Banda.
And speaking after he swore in former acting permanent secretary of Northern Province, Gabriel Kaunda, as permanent secretary for Gender in Development Division, President Banda said the appointee was an experienced and best person for the position.

“After I was elected President, we asked you to stand aside in order to make certain changes and as usual you carried yourself impeccable in dignity and you believed in us that we will reallocate you,” said President Banda.

Labels: AMBASSADOR, CORRUPTION, TONY COTTER

posted by MrK @ 4:35 AM