By Christopher Chisi

The Transparency International Zambia  says the huge sums of resources lost or mismanaged as reflected in the various audit report over the years are serious source of concern considering that the country is facing economic hardships amid high poverty rates.

TIZ  Programs Manager, Martin Matabishi says the lost resources as highlighted in the audit reports indicates that there is a great opportunity cost to develop the country as well as reduce high poverty levels if resources were used for their intended purpose.

Speaking during a meeting with CSO dubbed Enhanced Transparency and Accountability in Public  Resource Management, Matabishi expressed  concern that despite the audit reflecting various cases of mismanagement of resources there has been no tangible follow ups and prosecution of possible cases.

“What is more worrying  is that despite the audits  reflecting  various cases of mismanagement of resources ,there has been no tangible follows up and prosecution of possible cases and issues in the audits,” Matabishi explained.

“The aforementioned situation has made those who mismanage resources to take advantage of the complacency in following up the audit issues and continue to abuse public resources thereby accelerating the poverty levels up personalizing resources meant for public services delivery. Hospital do not have sufficient drugs, many rural children are unable to attend school because of lack of schools, shortage of teachers and there are limited health centres and yet the amounts being mismanaged are colossal to improve the lives of the citizens.”

He inidicated that TIZ has been and will continue implementing a number of projects in its quest to fight corruption and promote transparency, integrity and accountability in the management of public resources.