Maravi

Government vows to act on Zesco improprieties

Government vows to act on Zesco improprieties
By Bright Mukwasa
Tue 20 Dec. 2011, 13:45 CAT

THE government will target officers involved in the misappropriation of funds at Zesco Limited as revealed by the Auditor General's report with a view to prosecuting them, says energy minister Christopher Yaluma.

The latest Auditor General's report for 2009 on accounts of parastatal bodies, indicates that Zesco Limited irregularly bought 19 personal-to-holder vehicles for senior managers at a cost of more than K2.5 billion.

According to conditions of service for non-represented employees, only managing directors, directors and the company secretary were entitled to personal-to-holder vehicles.

In an interview, Yaluma said the PF government would not let erring officers go scot-free.

"We'll make that known name and shame that's the only way people are going to learn and whatever steps we're going to take, it'll be made known to the public. Where there's need to take the law, let the law take its own course. We can prosecute whoever will be found wanting; that's the only way we can handle this and ensure that at any stage we don't come and encounter any ill-behaviour of financial indiscipline," Yaluma said.

He said financial abuse in various parastatals was a serious concern to the government, adding that there was no way his government would allow such improprieties to take a toll on public money.

Yaluma promised to get to the bottom of the matter and take appropriate punitive measures.

He said the improprieties in parastatals had reached ‘very alarming' levels.

Zesco Limited, among other glaring disparities, irregularly bought vehicles for senior managers without board approval.

"However, contrary to the conditions of service and without board approval, management decided to procure nineteen (19) personal-to-holder vehicles for senior managers at a total cost of K2,712,990,315 during the period under review," the report said.

"In addition, the senior managers drew 112,429.29 litres of fuel valued at K570, 533,402 without limited access or specific allocation."

Labels: CORRUPTION, ZESCO

posted by MrK @ 3:59 PM