OPC Chief Secretary Justin Saidi
* In line with the Government’s commitment to fiscal discipline and prudent management of public resources
* Underscores its determination to eliminate avoidable expenditure and maximise the efficient utilisation of existing public facilities
By Duncan Mlanjira
The Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) has directed with immediate effect that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that no government-funded workshops, seminars, meetings, or other official engagements involving public employees shall be conducted outside their respective duty stations.
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A statement from Chief Secretary, Justin Saidi says this is “in line with the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline and prudent management of public resources”.
“The reiteration of this directive underscores the Government’s determination to eliminate avoidable expenditure, maximise the efficient utilisation of existing public facilities and ensure that public resources are prioritised for essential services and national development priorities.”
Thus the OPC orders all controlling officers in the MDAs to ensure meetings, seminars, workshops and other official engagements are held in existing conference rooms, boardrooms and other suitable institutional spaces at their respective duty stations for full and deliberate utilisation of existing Government facilities..
They are thus prohibited from the use of external venues for government-funded activities and to exercise firm oversight and enforce strict compliance — to ensure that all expenditure is properly authorised, justified and consistent with the Government’s austerity agenda.
“The Government remains firmly committed to prudent expenditure, efficient utilisation of public resources and the implementation of reforms that safeguard the public purse while advancing national development,” says the directive.
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