Integrity Committees
Introduction
The Integrity Committees started off as an initiative in 2006 after the publication of the National Governance Survey Report of 2004. The findings of the survey indicated that corruption was rife at the points of public service delivery and the Anti-Corruption Commission was convinced that to address the problem, Integrity Committee needed to be formed in public institutions. The first cohort of Integrity Committees was therefore appointed and trained in 2006. An initial number of eight institutions was selected to pilot the initiative. Since then more Institutions from both the public and private sectors have requested the Anti-corruption Commission to assist them in forming Integrity Committees. With the amendment of the Anti-Corruption Act, the formation of integrity Committees has since become law. Further, the National Anti-Corruption Policy also advocates for the creation of these committee as a measure for institutionalizing the fight against corruption.
What Are Integrity Committees
Integrity Committee are internal institutional committees established in line with the Government programme which is contained in the National Anti-Corruption Policy (NACP) and provisions of section 6(1) (a), (ii)and (iv) and 6 (i) (g) of the Anti-Corruption Act No. 38 of 2010 from which the ACC draws its corruption prevention mandate. These committees are charged with the mandate to spearhead the prevention of corruption within their sphere of control and hence the institutionalization of corruption prevention.
The rationale for this institutionalization of corruption prevention is that public institution exists to serve the public. It is in their interest therefore to ensure that they deliver on their respective mandates in an efficient and effective manner free of corruption.
Appointment and Composition
Integrity Committee members are appointed on a three year term by the Chief Executive Officers on behalf of Secretary to the Cabinet.
Currently there are twenty Institutions with Integrity Committees. These are:
1. The Zambia Revenue Authority; 2. The Immigration Department; 3. The Zambia Police Service; 4. Ministry of Lands; 5. Lusaka City Council; 6. Ndola City Coucil; 7. Public Service Pensions Fund; 8. Anti-Corruption Commission; 9. The Judiciary; 10. The Department of National Registration; 11. Road Transport and Safety Agency; 12. Kitwe City Council; 13. Livingstone City Council; 14. Pensions and Insurance Authority; 15. Citizens Economic Empowerment Fund; 16. National Roads Fund Agency; 17. National Institute of Public Administration; 18. Konkola Copper Mines; 19. Luanshya City Council, and; 20. Kalulushi City Council.