The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has warned local authorities against corruption in the management of Constituency Development Funds in their respective jurisdictions.
Acting ACC Director General Monica Mwansa, who opened the Integrity Committee (IC) training workshop for local authorities in Eastern Province yesterday, said councils need to provide ethical leadership and financial resources for the ICs to implement their activities.
She said ICs had so far proved to be an effective mechanism for preventing corruption and other institutional malpractices.
“Integrity Committees play a pivotal role in fostering accountability, promoting the highest standards of ethical conduct, and providing a platform for sensitization on ethical issues,” she stated.
Eastern Province acting Permanent Secretary Lewis Mwape assured the ACC that the provincial administration would support the effective performance of the ICs, describing them as a catalyst for the effective delivery of public services.
And, while commending the results of the fight against corruption that are now being seen, Chief of Party for the ISAID Local Impact Governance Project, Wilfred Mwamba, advised that more efforts should be put in corruption prevention.
Mwamba observed that local authorities have been losing funds intended for the effective delivery of public goods and services, hence, the need to enhance the capacity for prudent public funds management among the councils.
“We are proud to see that the results in the fight against corruption are showing. We are seeing properties being forfeited to the state and the culprits are being convicted. This is good. However, we should put more efforts in the prevention of corruption. That’s why Integrity Committees are vital because they are frontline efforts in combating corruption.”
The councils undergoing integrity training are Katete, Sinda, Chadiza, Lusangazi and Nyimba.
