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GOVERNMENT has dissolved the National Youth Development Council (NYDC) board to pave way for investigations into alleged misuse of public funds.
Public outcry has mounted over the past weeks by various organisations including Transparency International Zambia (TIZ) and some youth groups to probe the use of funds at the NYDC.
A total of K294, 596.37 representing 30 per cent of the funds released to NYDC were applied on chairperson Savior Chishimba’s expenses against a Board Meetings budget of K154, 710.
Youth and Sport Minister Vincent Mwale said in Lusaka yesterday that following continued public concern, it was prudent that the board be dissolved to pave way for the investigative wings to move in.
On the other hand the Anti-Corruption Commission has already instituted investigations.
Mr Mwale said at a media briefing that the board’s integrity had been compromised hence the need to take a decisive action.
“Therefore, following a public outcry over these allegations, I find it appropriate to dissolve the NYDC board to pave way for investigations to be conducted by security wings,” he said.
He said the allegations had come at a time when the Government was finalising the audit process of financial expenditure at the NYDC.
“Be assured that Government has been attending to the matter through Government procedures. I wish to assure you that Government is actively following this matter through the Auditor General’s office and other security wings,” he said.
He said the dissolution of the board did not mean an end to the operations of the Council as management would continue executing daily operations.
“My Ministry will continue to render support to the council and I direct the Secretariat to work in close consultation with the Ministry in matters relating to operations until such a time when the board will be put in place,” he said.
ACC acting public relations manager Dorothy Mwanza also confirmed yesterday that the Commission had commenced its investigations.
“The ACC has commenced investigations in the matter surrounding the abuse of funds at the NYDC and further details will be communicated at an appropriate time,” she said in a separate interview.
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