The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament has summoned its members to a meeting aimed at conducting enquiry in the wake of growing levels of looting, fraud and corruption in a number of government ministries.
In a letter dated October 14 and signed by the Committee’s chairperson, Shadric Namalomba, the members have been invited to attend the meetings from October 18th to November 4th.
Key issues set to be tackled include an inquiry into allegation of looting of K30 billion meant for the purchase of fertilizer under the Affordable Input Programme (AIP) in the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Committee will also conduct an enquiry into abuse of cash allowances in the office of the Accountant General and the missing of over K12 billion at the Export Development Fund (EDF).
Furthermore, the Committee will conduct an enquiry into allegations of certain presidential aides who were seen on social media salivating over bundles of United States Dollars.
The enquiry will also be conducted into expenditures incurred during the recent United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) trip by the state president Lazarus Chakwera.
In addition, the enquiry will also target senior officers of the grain trader Agriculture Development and Marketing Corporation (ADMARC) who are suspected to be involved in an insurance fraud.
According to a letter the Committee members will also conduct an enquiry into usage of Covid funds amounting to K17.5 billion.
Reads part of a letter: “Honourable Members, as a committee, we at mandated by section 18 and 19 of the Public Audit Act and Standing order 161 of Parliament to provide oversight into usage of public resources by public officials including Ministers, Civil Servants and anyone in receipt of government resources.”
