THE Law Association of Zambia (LAZ) has said it is premature and speculative to debate the proposed revision of section 37 of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Act because the bill has not been made public.

LAZ president Stephen Lungu also urged the public and other stakeholders to stop debating the proposed amendments until the bill was made public or taken to Parliament.

Mr Lungu said in an interview that he was surprised there was much debate about something that was still unknown and described the statements made on the matter as premature and speculative.

He said there was a worrying trend in the country where debate on national matters was based on rumours and speculation, which he said, was dangerous for the country.

The LAZ president said the association would only comment on the merits and demerits of the ACC Act if they were formally informed about the proposed amendments.

He said LAZ would examine whether the proposed changes were in public interest or not and what mischief was intended to be cured by the amendments.

Mr Lungu also said the bill would also be taken to Parliament and it was expected that members of Parliament would adequately debate it before making any decisions.

Of late, there has been heated debate about the reported intention of Government to amend section 37 of the ACC Act,

According to section 37 of the ACC Act, the director general, the deputy director general or any officer of the commission authorised in writing by the director general may investigate a public officer where there are reasonable grounds to believe that such public officer maintains a standard of living above that which is commensurate with his present or past official emoluments.

Under the section, the ACC can institute an arrest on a public officer “who is in control or possession of pecuniary resources or property disproportionate to his present or past official emoluments.”

PRESIDENT Banda has said Zambia can attain all Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targets if the Central and Local Government concentrate on implementing government policies in the next five years.

President Banda said this when he opened the 54th Annual Conference of the Local Government Association of Zambia in Kasama yesterday.

In a speech read for him by Minister of Local Government and Housing Eustarckio Kazonga, Mr Banda said although councils are autonomous, they are still part of Government and must follow the vision and objective of the Central Government.

Mr Banda implored local authorities to prioritise the achievement of MDG targets in their planning and budgeting, as well as implementation.

He said local government is strategically positioned to deliver to the people of Zambia.

Mr Banda appealed to traditional leaders, the private sector, cooperating partners and other stakeholders to contribute towards the attainment of MDGs.

He said government is implementing the national decentralisation policy to improve service delivery and increase people’s participation in development.

Mr Banda assured councils of government support in form of grants and transfer of matching resources so that they can meet their mandate.

He, however, expressed concern at the poor finance and programme performance of some local authorities.
Mr Banda said Government programmes being implemented by local authorities should benefit people.

On the newly established Local Government Service Commission, Mr Banda said this was meant to equip councils with qualified personnel in view of the impending decentralisation process that will devolve some of the functions and matching resources.

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) resident representative Macleod Nyirongo said decentralised governance will accelerate progress towards achievement of MDGs.

Mr Nyirongo observed that the achievement of MDGs is dependent on effective delivery of services at local level where citizens can hold their leaders accountable.

He said accelerated progress towards meeting the MDGs in the remaining five years will require action by African countries and intensified support from the international community.

Mr Nyirongo said African countries need to deepen their macroeconomic reforms, strengthen democratic institutions and invest adequate resources in human development.

Local Government Association of Zambia president Charles Mumena commended government for the timely release of constituency development funds.