TIZ CALLS ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO INVESTIGATE FINANCIAL IRREGULARITIES REVEALED IN LATEST AUDITOR GENERAL`S REPORT
Transparency International Zambia-TIZ is calling on Law Enforcement Agencies to act decisively on the findings of the latest Auditor General`s report which has revealed a 400% increase in irregular payments, from K152 million in 2022 to K745 million in 2023, and over 400% increase in misappropriation of funds from K135 million to K737 million.
TIZ Executive Director Maurice Nyambe says the revelations shows the recklessness that is obtaining in different government entities and calls into question the adherence to prudent financial management as guided by the public finance management act of 2018 and the 2020 public finance management regulations.
Mr. Nyambe says investigations into the anomalies highlighted must be instituted by law enforcement agencies such as the Anti-Corruption Commission-ACC and Drug Enforcement Commission-DEC with a view to bringing to book all those who are responsible for the seepage of public resources.
He has however stated that revelations by the Auditor General`s report that there was a reduction in financial irregularities in ministries, provinces and agencies from around K103 billion in 2022 to K81 billion in 2023, which represents a roughly 27% reduction gives confidence that some of the integrity accountability measures that have been put place in these entities are starting to bear fruits.
Mr. Nyambe is urging all these ministries, provinces and agencies to interrogate the report more in order to identify the success factors that have led to this reduction, and to identify ways in which they can build on those factors.
The Auditor General’s report on the accounts of the republic for the financial year ended 31st December, 2023 has revealed increments in irregularities such as irregular payments which increased from over K152 million in 2022 to over K745 million in 2023.
PN
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