Curb Waste, Audit on Time: President Hichilema

PRESIDENT Hakainde Hichilema has directed the Office of the Auditor General to expedite the audit of public funds to enforce transparency and protect resources needed to drive national development.
​Speaking at State House today during the swearing-in ceremony of Ms. Patricia Malaila as Deputy Auditor General in charge of the Audit Division, the Head of State warned against the misappropriation of public funds and called for the immediate stop of wasteful expenditure, particularly excessive international travel.
​President Hichilema emphasised that citizens and public officials must resist the temptation to take what does not belong to them, stressing that leaders were elected on the premise of prudent resource management and accountability.
​“We must put public resources to good use while remaining accountable because that is what brought us to public office,” President Hichilema said. “Less international travel, and if travel is to occur, it has to be of fewer people with a specific role to play so that public resources can be saved and invested in key sectors such as education, health, and infrastructure.”
​The President challenged the newly appointed Deputy Auditor General to remain firm, results-oriented, and collaborative while ensuring audits are delivered on schedule to generate meaningful corrective action.
​He said under the Government’s ‘Grow Zambia Agenda’, every kwacha spent must deliver tangible value to citizens by facilitating economic growth, creating jobs, and improving livelihoods.
​“The Office of the Auditor General must remain a strong guardian of public resources,” President Hichilema said. “The nation expects hard work, integrity, and results. You must serve the citizens first, before self-interest.”