Anti-Corruption Commission ACC Director General Thom Shamakamba has urged newly appointed Focal Point Persons (FPPs) for ZESCO Integrity Committee (IC) to be strong and courageous in the fight against corruption.
Speaking yesterday, during the official opening of FPPs IC training workshop at ZESCO Headquarters, the Director General said fighting corruption is not an easy task and requires men and women with courage.
He commended ZESCO for taking a lead in promotion of Integrity development and fight against corruption over the years.
“The Company has recorded a number of milestones achieved emanating from the realization that some of its core areas of operations were susceptible to corruption and needed remedial address,” he said.
Mr. Shamakamba noted some of the achievements recorded by ZESCO IC which include among others, the development of the Gifts and Benefits Policy, the Code of Conduct, development of Customer Service Feedback mechanisms (Integrity boxes distributed to all Customer Service Centres), Conflict of Interest Policy and the Whistle- blower Policy.
The DG assured the FPPs of the Commissions support and encouraged them to call whenever they needed help to deal with uncooperative supervisors.
“I wish to emphasise that the Anti-Corruption Commission is continuously committed to providing you the necessary technical support required for promoting integrity development in your institution through the Integrity Committee already in existence. Therefore, fear no one, lets fight corruption together,” he concluded.
And Acting ZESCO Managing Director Engineer Justin Loongo, who officially opened the training, cautioned FPPs against accepting “ka something” for rendering a service as it makes ZESCO services expensive to customers.
“ZESCO aspires to become an effective provider of reliable and environmentally sustainable electricity services to all our customers by 2031. This will be achieved by providing efficient, innovative and excellent electricity services and energy solutions to our local and international customers. It is for this reason that the Corporation values integrity as it is a bedrock for the realization of both the vision and mission,” he said.
Eng. Loongo challenged FPPs to be exemplary in matters of integrity and help prevent corruption and other maladministration in the Corporation.
“I wish to remind you all that you have been entrusted with a very important responsibility, that is, to ensure corruption and related malpractices are curtailed from the Corporation. We have confidence in your ability to carry out this role and urge you not to betray that trust. I therefore, expect you to conduct yourselves in an ethical and exemplary manner. You should be a shining example to others in matters of integrity,” he said.
The Ag. MD urged the trainees to take the training seriously, participate fully and understand their role as Integrity Committee members.
Meanwhile, ZESCO Integrity Committee Chairperson Evans Twaambo, implored FPPs to be eyes and ears of the institution and help prevent corruption.
He disclosed that FPPs were strategically drawn from key departments which are hotspots and highly susceptible to corruption.
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