Africa-Press – Mozambique. Mozambique is going to launch a hotline for reporting corruption and bad practices in the public finance sector, an initiative that brings together the Ministry of Finance and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Minister of Finance, Carla Loveira, announced on Wednesday.
“No financial reform will be effective if it is not underpinned by solid principles of ethics, transparency and responsibility,” the minister began by emphasising, speaking yesterday at the opening of Coordinating Council of the Ministry of Finance, in Maputo province.
“That’s why I’m particularly pleased to announce the imminent signing of a memorandum between the Ministry of Finance and the Public Prosecutor’s Office, which will set up a hotline for reporting corruption and bad practices in the public finance sector,” said the finance minister.
Carla Loveira added that the initiative falls “within the scope of the fight against corruption” and “will consolidate the measures being implemented in the field of ethics and professional deontology and the strengthening of internal control”.
“It symbolises our commitment to consolidating an institutional culture where integrity is not the exception but the norm, where public service is guided by values and not by personal interests,” she said.
Addressing the staff of that body, she stressed that “the trust of citizens and partners” depends on the ability of the Ministry of Finance “to manage public resources with rigour, transparency and a sense of state”.
“Each of us, in each function and at each level, is the guardian of the resources of the Mozambican people. Good management of public finances is not just a technical requirement, it is an act of patriotism and an expression of responsible citizenship,” she emphasised.
“We are particularly addressing all those who trade in state assets: these resources belong to the Mozambican people and must not, under any pretext, be used for illicit purposes or to benefit a few to the detriment of the majority,” added Carla Loveira.
The minister also called for unity and determination in the “common purpose of building an efficient, transparent and inclusive state” that “better serves its people and promotes a future of prosperity for all”.
Mozambican President Daniel Chapo warned on 13 October that the country’s “commitment” to fighting “the martyrdom” of corruption “is unequivocal” and that it is necessary to end the “feeling of impunity that reigns” in society and in the public administration.
“Corruption is a phenomenon that destroys citizens’ trust in institutions, undermines the social fabric, diverts resources that should serve the people, weakens the economy, jeopardises development and widens social inequalities,” said Chapo, at the opening of the National Conference on Combating Corruption, promoted by the Attorney General’s Office.
For More News And Analysis About Mozambique Follow Africa-Press
