Government calls for professionalism in public service

Government calls for professionalism in public service
By Chris Ndhlovu in Mansa
Mon 25 June 2012, 13:22 CAT

NEWLY-appointed Luapula Province minister Benson Kapaya says public servants should avoid procrastination in executing their work because such tendencies tarnished the image of the public service in the past.

During the occasion to mark Public Service Day held at Muchinka Community grounds in Mansa on Saturday, Kapaya said in a speech delivered on his behalf by Luapula Province permanent secretary Anna Mubanga that there was need for a professional public service which should exhibit a sense of urgency and commitment in delivering quality services to the people.

Kapaya said there was need to develop the necessary capacities for the implementation of the African Charter on values and principles of public service and administration.

He explained that the African Charter on values and principles of public service administration was one of the instruments that could help transform the public service into a professional, ethical, disciplined and people-oriented institution, which should serve citizens with integrity and respect.

Kapaya said public service workers were prohibited from soliciting, accepting or receiving directly or indirectly any payment, gift, donation or reward in kind or cash for services rendered.

He further said every public worker should adhere to high standards of integrity, professionalism, transparency and impartiality in the performance of their duties.

Kapaya said the government's vision was to ensure that people do not just have a better life but have it as an entitlement in line with the PF manifesto.

He said the public service should undertake systematic, comprehensive and evidence-based capacity development programmes to strengthen its effectiveness and efficiency in service delivery.

Kapaya added that there was need to ensure excellence, courtesy, neutrality and innovation when dealing with the public in the course of duty.

And Zambia Congress of Trade Unions ZCTU Mansa district secretary
Chiluba Kombe commended the government for strengthening professionalism and ethics in the public service by promoting values of democracy, good governance, human rights and rights to development.

Kombe said the labour movement was also happy with the government's efforts to modernise, improve and entrench new values of governance in the public service.

He added that the government's decision to institutionalise a culture of accountability, integrity and transparency in the public service and administration was good.

Kombe said the government should distribute the PF manifesto and the African Charter in all government offices for people to appreciate the vision of the current government and how well it blends with the charter.

And Luapula Province acting Principal Education Standards officer George Mwangula said the public service was the engine of government at all levels of national development.

He said the public service kept the wheels of the government turning by translating policies into action.

Mwangula said it was important for the government to revisit the induction programmes for people entering the public service so that they were properly oriented to be selfless and committed in the delivery of public service.