Government accumulate $35million phone bill

Government officials blew $35 million on phone calls in 2015 alone a development that has led to tough restrictions being imposed.

In a letter dated April 8, that was sent to government departmental heads by the secretary to the Treasury, Willard Manungo - permanent secretaries' mobile phone allocations have since been revised down to $150 a month, while those of directors are now pegged at $100 per month.

According to the same circular, fixed telephone services exceeded budget by wide margins, forcing the broke government to seek a rationalisation of non-priority expenditure.

"In order to avoid the continued accumulation of arrears, alignment of consumption with budgeted capacity becomes inescapable," the circular said.

Manungo's circular also  expressed concern with the rampant abuse of public vehicles by staff "during public holidays, weekends, and after working hours".

"In tandem with such usage levels, the maintenance and fuel bills have been progressively increasing and has equally resulted in a build-up of outstanding payment arrears to service providers.

"Accordingly, with immediate effect, accounting officers must ensure that all government pool/project vehicles are parked at the work stations or the nearest police station after designated hours, during weekends and public holidays," the circular reads.