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Zambia: Permanent Secretary Sent Away
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The Times of Zambia (Ndola)
28 March 2008
Posted to the web 28 March 2008
Ndola
THE Public Accounts Committee (PAC) yesterday sent away ministry of Local Government and Housing Permanent Secretary, Joe Ngo, for allegedly failing to take audit queries seriously.
Mr Ngo appeared before the committee to clarify financial irregularities as highlighted in the Auditor General's report for the financial year ending December, 31, 2006.
Committee deputy chairperson, Emmanuel Hachipuka (UPND), said the ministry was failing to take the audit seriously as during the time of audit, it failed to give satisfactory answers.
Mr Hachipuka said the ministry should have provided the answers to the Auditor General during the time of audit to avoid irregularities appearing in the report.
"We are disappointed by your support staff and we have asked the office of the Auditor General to re-verify your audits. Most of your replies were done recently when the audit took place way back. It is clear that your office does not take audit seriously," Mr Hachipuka said.
The committee sent away Mr Ngo.
Before he was sent back, Mr Ngo submitted that the Government would stop releasing Constituency Development Fund (CDF) to councils that failed to submit their annual returns.
He said Kasama central constituency had failed to submit returns.
It was a fallacy to think that the area member of Parliament (MP) could single handedly decide how to use the CDF.
Mr Ngo said the decision should be made by the Constituency Development Committee where the MP is a member.
Ministry of Finance and Planning acting Permanent Secretary for management and administration, Daniel Bowasi, told the committee that it was regrettable that the Government delayed paying compensation and awards to people who had won cases against the State.
Mr Bowasi was accompanied by ministry of Works and Supply director of building, Whytone Ngulube and Central Statistical Office (CSO) director, Efreda Chuulu.
He said the Government was spending colossal sums of money on accrued interest.
Mr Bowasi said that in 2004 there were 61 people on the list of persons to be compensated but because of the new system, the number had reduced to one this year.
Chipangali member of Parliament, Vincent Mwale (MMD), said it was unfair that the Government was made to spend K 33 billion. The interest had been attributed to delays in payments.
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Mr Bowasi, however, said this was because of the resource envelope which should be shared among all the ministries.
And controlling officer at the Police and Prison Service Commission, Margaret Chiluluma and chief accountant, Genesis Katowa, apologised to the committee for the financial irregularities.
Mr Katowa said he was to blame for the irregularities and asked for leniency but promised that in future such irregularities would not occur.
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