Editorial: Those who cause losses of public funds should be dealt with harshly

There is some Rwf1 billion lying out there waiting for the government to pick it up but it has failed to do so for the last five years. The monies are proceeds from reparations awarded to the government in various court cases it has been involved in. The reasons the money had not been collected is that state attorneys are yet to adopt new methods of jealously guarding the country’s properties. But the most serious matter is the government losses billions in lost litigations, sometimes due to the fault of its officers or not reading carefully the small print in contracts So when the Minister of Justice summoned over 100 state attorneys and legal advisors in state institutions, the message was loud and clear: The government could no longer stomach seeing public funds lost due to poorly drafted contracts and lack of due diligence by its lawyers. Sometimes it is the state officers behind the losses when they connive with private contractors to install loopholes in contracts. Those are the most dangerous types to look out for as they have no scruples when it comes to fleecing an unsuspecting government. The government on the other hand also shares some of the blame; how does it deal with its officers who draft shoddy contracts that lead to loss of public funds? Does it just slap them on the wrist and let them off? Such people should be held personally responsible, and if possible, reimburse the lost funds because, as long s there are treated leniently – or not at all – government coffers will continue to feed some foxy individuals who know its Achilles’ heel.

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Editorial: Those who cause losses of public funds should be dealt with harshly