Vice-President’s office defends K100 million request
The Office of the Vice-President and Disaster Management Affairs says the request for authorisation for the release of K100 million from Treasury to an FDH Bank account for functions of the office is normal.
A leaked letter from the Office of the Vice-President to the Office of the Accountant General seeks authority from Treasury to release the amount from the Integrated Financial Management Information System (Ifmis) to the FDH Bank account.
“I would like to inform you that His Honour the Vice- President will attend a number of public functions this month of November, 2019. In view of this, I would like to seek authority to transfer MK100, 000, 000, 00 from the Office of the Vice President (headquarters) from Ifmis to FDH Bank account number 1970000056278 to cater for urgent expenses,” reads the letter of instruction dated November 6 2019 and signed by Secretary to the Vice- President and Commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs, Wilson Moleni.
The letter has caused public uproar with some quarters suspecting and suggesting the move is another scheme to siphon money from the public purse.
But in a statement signed by Press and Public Relations Officer in the Office of the Vice-President and Disaster Management Affairs, Charles Wahara, says the public should not be alarmed by the request for funding for the Vice- President’s Office as it is a normal transaction.
“The general public may wish to note that Office of the Vice-President is funded quarterly and part of the funds are transferred to the operating account at FDH Bank. These funds that are transferred are within the approved budget for the office” the letter reads.
The letter further says the purpose of the said account is to cater for urgent transactions involving activities under the Office of the Vice President pertaining to delegated duties and disaster management issues
He further says the office usually seeks formal approval from the Accountant General to facilitate the funds transfer from Ifmis to the operating account at the FDH Bank and is within the confines of the Public Finance Management Act.
He said the account is under the government and all transactions made under this account are approved by the Controlling Officer as it is the case with all standard Ifmis.
