PAC confirms new FIA chief Priminta
Governance experts and gender activists have hailed the confirmation of Dr Jean Phillipo Priminta by the Public Appointments Committee of Parliament (PAC) as director general of the Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA).
Phillipo-Priminta, who was serving as chief Sstate advocate (asset recovery) in the Ministry of Justice, appeared before the committee yesterday as part of the confirmation process.
PAC chairperson Joyce Chitsulo confirmed the appointment in an interview at Parliament building.
She said: “As a committee, looking at her expertise, qualifications, skills and having assessed the competences and looking at what is expected of the office, the committee was impressed that she is the right person to head the FIA.
“So, I am glad to report that PAC has confirmed the appointment.”
Chitsulo said they expect that she will work hand in hand with other like-minded institutions such as the Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Office of the Director of Public Officers Declaration to fight corruption.
Governance expert Victor Chipofya said in an interview yesterday that it was good that FIA now has a director.
“One would not have expected the FIA to have a vacancy for even one month because in a country where corruption is rampant, you need FIA to be operational.
“What we need now is to also fill the auditor general’s position because we have had someone acting in that position for a long time.”
NGO-Gender Coordination Network chairperson Barbara Banda hailed the appointment, saying government is abiding by the Gender Equality Act.
She said: “We can see that more women are being appointed into high decision-making positions and this is worth celebrating.
“Beyond that, we know that this serves as a milestone in that the young girls will also be encouraged to know that when they work hard, it is possible to climb high up the ladders of power.”
Another gender activist Emma Kaliya said it was encouraging to see more women heading influential institutions.
“This is what we have been looking for. We have talked about this so many times and when it turns like this, we find it progressive,” she said.
Atuweni Juwayeyi-Agbermoji was the first director general of the FIA and when she left the institution, it was headed by Vincent Chipeta who was later rejected by PAC.
