The government will initiate a nationwide payroll audit as a central part of a new fiscal austerity program. Finance Minister Joseph Mwanamvekha stated the measure aims to control a public wage bill that consumes nearly forty percent of domestic revenue, limiting development spending.
All public servants must present themselves for physical verification with supporting documentation. The government anticipates this will identify ghost workers and improve payroll efficiency. Additional cost-cutting measures include restricting senior officials to three annual foreign trips in economy class, reducing fuel entitlements by thirty percent, and halting new vehicle procurement.
The broader reforms empower the Treasury to invalidate unauthorized recruitments and require all procurement to use the official IFMIS system. The government is also set to revoke idle mining licenses and reduce foreign mission staff. The success of these measures is seen as dependent on strict enforcement.
All public servants must present themselves for physical verification with supporting documentation. The government anticipates this will identify ghost workers and improve payroll efficiency. Additional cost-cutting measures include restricting senior officials to three annual foreign trips in economy class, reducing fuel entitlements by thirty percent, and halting new vehicle procurement.
The broader reforms empower the Treasury to invalidate unauthorized recruitments and require all procurement to use the official IFMIS system. The government is also set to revoke idle mining licenses and reduce foreign mission staff. The success of these measures is seen as dependent on strict enforcement.
