OYV commends Sata for suspending Chirwa

The Operation Young Vote (OYV) has commended President Michael Sata for suspending Zambia Railways Limited (ZRL) Chief Executive Officer Professor Clive Chirwa to pave way for investigations in the alleged corruption and abuse of office in the company.

And OYV has called on government to extend the probing into other institutional management boards to ensure accountability and transparency.

OYV Executive Director Guess Nyirenda told ZANIS in Lusaka today that his organization and the young people of Zambia in general have noted with regret the levels of selfishness and greed among those implicated in the ZRL corruption allegations.

Mr. Nyirenda observed that instead of revamping the institution which has attracted a lot of government resources, the people tasked to revive ZRL allegedly sought to selfishly enrich themselves.

He said if adequately managed, ZRL has the capacity to create employment for the unemployed and desperate young people of Zambia and contribute to the economic development of the country.

He noted with sadness that people entrusted to hold critical positions of influence to make decisions for the majority poor have allegedly prioritized personal needs above national development.

Mr. Nyirenda said the happenings at ZRL should serve as an eye opener to the appointing authority and government in general.

And Mr. Nyirenda has called on government to extend the probing into other institutional management boards to ensure accountability and transparency.

He has since appealed to government to ensure boards serving in other institutions such as Zambia Electricity Supply Cooperation (ZESCO) and Food Reserve Agency (FRA) among many others are not mismanaging funds in their respective institutions.

He further called on government to consider leaving the appointment of a Chief Executive Officer to the discretion of Board of Directors to foster good cooperate governance.

Mr. Nyirenda also implored the investigative wings of government to conduct a thorough inquiry in this endeavor and hoped that there shall be no undue interference.

President Micheal Sata yesterday suspended ZRL Chief Executive Officer Clive Chirwa to pave way for investigations into his alleged corruption and abuse of authority in ZRL.