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Corruption in Zambia is everywhere - Luo

Corruption in Zambia is everywhere - Luo
By Agness Changala
Thu 21 July 2011, 14:00 CAT

THE face of corruption is everywhere in Zambia, says Professor Nkandu Luo. Prof Luo, a former cabinet minister during the Frederick Chiluba regime, said people claiming that there was no corruption in Zambia were making misplaced statements. She said evidence showing the existence of corruption in Zambia was overwhelming.

“It does not even need someone to read to know there is corruption in this country. We have seen donors pulling out because of the vice and the Minister of Health Kapembwa Simbao is on record saying the government will pay back the Global Fund money which was stolen,” Prof Luo said.

She said the removal of the abuse of office clause from the Anti-Corruption Act would contribute to corruption levels in the country because there would be nothing to deter offenders from engaging in the vice.

Prof Luo said it was sad that the government decided to do away with the abuse of office clause when it was an important law to protect the country’s resources from being plundered.

She said any right thinking government should be looking for laws that would strengthen systems and not take away the little the country had. Prof Luo said putting in place watertight systems that will protect the country’s resources from abuse should be a campaign issue in this year’s elections.

She observed that many Zambians were suffering despite the country having abundant res-ources and being reclassified as a middle income country.

“The middle country status being talked about, I should be able to see whether the lives of rural people are improving,” Prof Luo said. “If this is not the case then who is it for?”

Prof Luo said Zambia was not a poor country that people should continue suffering, saying the much talked about economic growth should be able to improve the welfare of poor people in rural areas.

Labels: CORRUPTION, NKANDU LUO

posted by MrK @ 4:34 PM