K55 million needed for verification of assets

Director of Public Officers’ Declarations Chris Tukula says K55 million (US$122 222) is needed to complete the initial verification of all declared assets.

Speaking during the official launch of the public access to declaration yesterday, Tukula said declarations made are treated as public information and maybe accessible to members of the public upon application to the director.

Said Tukula: “We will finish the whole process of the initial verification by June, and since it is not a completed process, we are hoping the money requested will be enough as it will also cater for consultancies if need be. Therefore, the general public should also note that public access to declaration is a legally sanctioned and internationally recognised practice which is widely accepted as a reasonable, necessary and justifiable public interest derogation of private interest in modern democratic governance.

“This practice, apart from enhancing the effectiveness of an asset declaration scheme, is also aimed at enlisting citizen, media and civil society participation in the oversight and scrutiny of governance and its officials. In turn, this promotes transparency and accountability and fosters public confidence in the integrity of the public service.”

He also said the directorate will bring to book all defaulters and that all new office-bearers will need to declare their assets within 90 days.