Government will reward innovations aimed at improved public service accountability - Chibiliti

Government will reward innovations aimed at improved public service accountability - Chibiliti
By Abigail Sitengi
Sun 24 June 2012, 13:29 CAT

SECRETARY to the Cabinet Evans Chibiliti said the government is determined to promote and reward innovations that are justifiable and capable of improving transparency and accountability in the public service.

Speaking during the commemoration of Africa Public Service Day at Mulungushi International Conference Centre in Lusaka yesterday, Chibiliti said innovations and initiatives in improving the delivery of public service should be viewed as a continuous process in the development of the country.

Chibiliti however said he was concerned that while the efforts made by the public service in developing brilliant policy documents and strategies were commendable, the rate of implementation and quality left much to be desired.

"I therefore expect all government ministries and institutions to exhibit total commitment towards implementation of policies and programmes," he said.

He also said it was important for all departments to develop standards of service delivery for which the public could hold them accountable.

Chibiliti explained that service delivery charters would make corruption and other forms of misconduct by public service workers easier to detect and correct.

"The charters when effectively implemented will help in identifying specific cases of poor performance, mal administration and improper use of discretion in decision making," he said.

He further said the government was committed to accelerating implementation of the code of ethics for the public service by providing the required political leadership.

The Africa Public Service Day this year was celebrated under the theme 'Capacity development for implementation of the African Charter on values and principles of public service and administration towards developmental states'.