The Office of the Ombudsman says it has an obligation to sensitise public servants about its functions so that they understand how the office operates.
Principal research and civic education officer in the Office of the Ombudsman, Felix Masekesa, made the remarks in Ntchisi this week when he sensitised senior government officers on the duties of the office.
Masekesa said his office is handling numerous cases emanating from office malpractice and unfair treatment by senior officers which, he said, cost government money through compensations.
“We want public servants to improve the way they handle their offices. Most complaints we receive could be avoided if senior officers could adhere to appropriate administration. Some of the decisions that senior officers make become costly for government when the complainants seek for compensations,” said Masekesa.
He said his office will soon sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with National Initiative for Civic Education (NICE) for a partnership that will see complaints being lodged at NICE offices.
“This will reduce the hassle people go through to submit complaints to our offices in cities,” he said.
Ntchisi NICE coordinator, Bester Chikafutwa said there is need to intensify sensitisation meetings with public servants at all levels in the district.
“We have people coming to our offices to seek for direction on where they can take their complaints, which is an indication that most public servants don’t still know where to go with these complaints,” said Chikafutwa.—Mana
