I firmly believe that this is a step in the right direction which demonstrates a proactive rather than reactive manner of ensuring that public resources are safeguarded. I, further, believe that these kinds of engagements will assist in supporting the delivery of public services through well-managed public financial management.
This is because engagements of this nature create a platform for controlling officers to interact with oversight functions and vice versa thereby assisting in identifying areas of improvement that typically may not be identified during parliamentary hearings alone. Ladies and gentlemen, it is time to transition from being focused on audit queries at parliamentary hearings to discussing solutions meant to reduce the causes of audit queries. In executing our role of ensuring that the executive is held accountable for the management and utilisation of public resources, we derive pleasure from knowing that the auditor general is making efforts to ensure that everyone is made aware of the role that audit plays.
This role is not to name and shame but rather ensure that controls as set out in various policies and legislative instruments are adhered to for the benefit of every Zambian. as controlling officers, there you have a huge responsibility that has been bestowed on you of planning and controlling revenue collection and managing the expenditure of public funds which are under your control. However, experience has shown lapses in the execution of these functions and i am therefore confident that this engagement will help in addressing some of the possible challenges as well as the identification of solutions to address them. Ladies and gentlemen, i do hope that this engagement is going to be highly interactive and fruitful leading to improvements in public financial management in our country. This should also serve as a reminder to all that we hold these public offices not for our own benefit but rather in service to the ordinary Zambians. In other words, we are merely servants of the Zambian people.
The development of our country can only be achieved when we all play our part in ensuring that public resources under our charge are managed and utilized in a prudent, efficient, and effective manner. Ladies and gentlemen, as i conclude, let me thank, once again, the auditor general’s office for organizing this workshop and encourage them to continue collaborating with all their stakeholders. I wish you all a fruitful and productive workshop.
Hon. Warren C Mwambazi
PAC Chairperson
Bwana MKubwa MP
