Minister of Finance and National Planing Dr Situmbeko Musokotwane disclosed that the grant was aimed at supporting the Office of the Auditor General to enhance it’s auditing coverage.
Dr Situmbeko says the grant signed today would enhance the relationship that exists between the two countries.
He said the support to the Office of the Auditor General goes a long way in enhancing its role in promoting accountability and transperancy in the use of public resources.
The Minister further disclosed that the grant would enhance the operations of the Auditor General and improve the skills set in the office.
Meanwhile Swedish Ambassador to Zambia Johan Hallenborg said the grant was anchored in the Office of the Auditor General’s new strategic plan for the period 2022- 2025.
Mr Hallenbong said the swedish Goverment development strategy for Zambia for the period 2018-2022 had a strong focus on promoting a culture of accountability and transperancy in the use of public resources.
He said the swedish Goverment would continue to support the Zambian goverment in it’s fight against corruption and increase accountability in public institutions.
The Ambassador further said corruption was a major problem that prevented societies to develop and deprived citizens from accessing essential social services, which included health, education, proper sanitation and many more hence the grant to support the Office of the Auditor General.
Mr Hallenborg further disclosed that the swedish Goverment had been supporting the Office of the Auditor General RIDP phase five and seven from 2015 and was pleased to see an increase in the audit coverage.
And speaking at the same event Auditor General Dr Dick Chelleh Sichambe paid tribute to the support from the swedish Goverment which had seen the establishment of 6 provincial offices for the Office of Auditor General.
Dr. Sichembe said this in a speech read on his behalf by the Deputy Auditor General in Charge of Corporate Services Mrs. Clare Mazimba.
He stated that phase 6 of the RIDP support from the Swedish Goverment had also helped the office to increase it’s audit coverage for the benefit of the citizens.
He further disclosed that through the support over the years a total of 348 audit staff were trained in auditing and accounting standards.
Credit: Office of the Auditor General Zambia
