Kaliati says ‘One stop centre’ Malawi govt’s commitment to excellence

Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Civic Education, Patricia Kaliati has described the introduction of one stop service centre as Government’s demonstration to deliver quality public services.

Kaliati said once complete the one stop service centre would consolidate government’s public service reforms in providing different essential services to Malawians under one roof.

“The one stop centre concept is one of the projects under the public service reform programme, it is a direct response to calls from ordinary Malawians to have good quality services in public institutions,” Kaliati added.

Kaliati was speaking on Tuesday after inspecting refurbishment of Mangochi Post Office which will soon evolve into a one stop centre.

Some of the services to be obtained at the centre will include those of Department of Immigration, Directorate of Road Traffic and Safety Services, Malawi Revenue Authority and Deceased Estates management by the Administrator General among others.

The minister said the facility would also enhance small and medium enterprises thereby encouraging local communities to support government in its socio – economic drive.

Kaliati said the one stop service centre would also cater for other social protection programmes being administered at the district council such as the social cash transfer scheme, public works programme and chiefs wages.

“I am optimistic that the centre once in full swing, would bring together such services like paying out of chiefs honoraria, social cash transfers and public works programme as a part of strengthening the decentralization process.

“My coming, therefore, was basically to jog the officials into engaging an extra gear to complete the renovations on time so that people no longer travel long distances to Lilongwe or Blantyre to get the services such as those that will be provided at this centre,” she added.

On the other hand, Kaliati said the centre would also act as a hub for the general public to access internet from the tele – centre. She said the facility would also be utilized as a place for marketing the district’s tourist resorts thereby contributing to the council’s revenue base.

“Over and above, different categories of people will utilize vital information from the internet on various subjects ranging from agriculture, education and health,” she emphasized.

She, therefore, called on people in the district and the country as a whole to embrace the three basic principles of development as espoused by the country’s leadership of patriotism, hard work and integrity to develop the nation.

Malawi Postal Services (MPC) Board Chairperson, Rev. Masauko Mbolembole said government has fully supported the drive to have one stop service centres as a pilot to enhance delivery of services in line with the public service reform agenda.

Mbolembole said MPC would remain committed to serving people in the country with due diligence as one way of fulfilling government plan of developing the country socio-economically.

“Apart from changing the face of the post office it will also add beauty to the face of Mangochi Town which is fast becoming a tourist attraction owing to its lakeshore status,” Mbolembole said.

According to MPC Post Master General, Andrew Kumbatira the facility was an attempt to be in line with worldwide trends where government integrates essential public service so that people get such services at one place. He said the centres which use technology to bring different services at one place were modeled in South Africa and other countries in the SADC region.

“For a start we are starting with Mangochi and Lilongwe as a pilot. We expect that the facilities will reduce travelling costs for the general public in pursuit of accessing the services,” Kumbatira said. “This is historic as it will serve people of Mangochi and surrounding districts.”

The facility is expected to be in operation by June 30 this year as the country also migrates access to TV signal from analogue to digital.

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