Government urges controlling Officers to Capitalise llCs

Government has urged controlling officers in government ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to prioritise establishment and implementation of Institutional Integrity Committees (IICs) to enhance the fight against corruption.

Deputy Secretary in the Office of President and Cabinet (OPC), Dr. Janet Banda made the call on Thursday in Mangochi during one-day workshop for controlling officers on National Anti-Corruption Strategy II (NACS-II).

Banda’s call followed earlier concerns from the Deputy Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau, Elia Bodole, that reports indicate most MDAs’ IICs are not operational despite government’s funding allocation for the same.

“Controlling officers should make sure that they utilise one per cent of funding that government allocates to MDAs for anti-corruption activities,” said Banda.

She described IICs as a vital tool in fighting corruption and that all MDAs should ensure that the committees are operational and in compliance with the law.

However, MPS Inspector General, Dr. George Kainja, said in an interview that the police have already started making adjustments aimed at cleaning its image through a special section called Professional Standards Unit (PSU).