MINISTER of Transport and Logistics Frank Tayali has expressed disappointment over the Controller of Government Transport’s failure to curb rampant misuse of government vehicles.

Tayali said he was disappointed that on a number of occasions when he had called for statistics regarding the government fleet, information had not been made available.

According to a statement issued by Ministry of Transport and Logistics public relations officer Ndubi Mvula, Monday, the minister said this when he visited the offices of the Government Transport Control Unit as part of his familiarisation programme of Departments and Units under his ministry.

“The visibly upset Minister said when administrations change, it does not mean Government changes as well because it has been one institution since 1964, adding that when administrations change it does not mean that staff should go to sleep. Hon Museba wondered why there have been so many accidents happening when the Unit is there to monitor the use of vehicles more so by officers on private errands. The Minister said Controller of Government Transport Mr Ernest Kunda working together with the Road Transport Safety Agency (RTSA) has a role to play in curbing the numerous accidents. The Minister revealed that he got a tip off from Mpika where a Government vehicle was captured on a video where a driver from Ministry of Health was loading passengers and charging them,” read the statement.

“He said there is a notorious driver from Ministry of Health driving a white Land cruiser and wondered why such kind of negligence was being tolerated. The Minister told Mr Kunda that as a Controller, he should not be susceptible or liable to such kind of negligence. He strongly cautioned Mr Kunda that the Mpika incident clearly shows that he is not in control of Government transport if such abuse can happen. The Minister was accompanied by Acting Permanent Secretary Mr Stephen Mbewe, Acting Director Planning Ms Irene Tembo and other senior government officials from the ministry. Other Departments the Minister visited are Office Equipment and Pontoon and Mechanical Services formerly Engineering Services Corporation (ESCO) Limited and the Provincial Maintenance Office.”