By Isaac Zulu
Presidential spokesperson Anthony Bwalya says President Hakainde Hichilema is making demotions in the investigating wings in order to improve competence.
Speaking when he featured on Ndola’s SUN FM Radio special programme on Friday, Bwalya has said that the Patriot Front government embraced corruption and tolerated the vice, saying the problem was compounded by the fact that institutions that are mandated to fight the scourge collapsed.
He explained that because of this, the procurement system became compromised and service delivery was adversely affected across the country.
“And that is why we had situations where US$30 million was paid to a contractor but the road (Lusaka-Ndola dual carriage way). Today we are talking about a university (FTJ University) in Luapula Province where millions of dollars were paid, but the project has not been delivered. It is still at slab level. Corruption was deep-rooted in the previous regime. The Patriot Front government tolerated corruption such that the procurement system became compromised, thereby affecting service delivery in the country,” said Bwalya. “The fight against corruption faced some inertia during the PF government because structures mandated to fight corruption had collapsed. The police and other law enforcement agencies were not able to discharge their duties as expected.”
He explained that it is for this reason that the UPND administration has embarked on the restructuring the investigative wings, with a view to restore credibility and professionalism in the said institutions.
(Efyo mulemwena libili libili ba (That is why from time to time the) President is making demotions and new appointments here and there. The rationale is to bring credibility, competence and professionalism in these instructions,” explained Bwalya.
He said the UPND administration is committed to fighting graft in a “non-selective manner.”
“And that is why the President has repeatedly been saying that we will fight past, present and future corruption,” Bwalya said.
And Bwalya said that the UPND administration will soon start rehabilitating the Mufulira-Mokambo and the Ndola-Sakania roads, saying the two roads are of “economic importance.”
He also said that there is need to remodel the Kasumbalesa border post.
“I agree with you, we have not optimised the Kasumbalesa border post. The road leading to Kasumbalesa is in a deplorable state. Trucks are marooned, making it difficult for trade to take place. We need to remodel the Kasumbalesa border post. And you will see the volume of trade and foreign income that will be flowing in the country,” added Bwalya.
