Malawians outraged with K295mil govt paid advertorials in Time magazine
Malawians are outraged that government is paying K295 million for public relations stories in Time magazine wondering whether this is not another cashgate, the infamous coordinated and calculated plunder of public resources.
Finance minister Goodall Gondwe conceded the government was paying for the advertorials, a decision that has generated a heated debate on social media, especially on Facebook and also on Nyasa Times comments page.
Most contributors wonder what impact this may have, saying this is just a wastage of money.
Stanley Onjezani Kenani, a social and political commentator said there is no story published so far in Time magazine.
The revelation by Gondwe on the Time magazine project comes barely days after President Peter Mutharika was severely criticised for buying a motor-home costing the poor tax payer a whopping K65 million.
Facebook users say the money could have been used in the fast collapsing public health sector.
However, other Malawians say the advertorials are important as they will help lure potential foreign investors, a catalyst for fast growing economy in the absence of donors.
According to published reports, the transaction was not sought nor granted by the Office of the Director of Public Procurement (ODPP).
Director of Information Bright Molande conceded there was flouting of procurement procedures, saying “there was no formal bidding process.”
Parliament’s Budget and Finance Committee, Rhyno Chiphiko, has said his committee “will take it up “ with Treasury when they meet for mid-term review of the budget.
According to Chiphiko, government hides operations of this nature as they are made at ministerial level, but warned government against taking advantage of some votes which he said were not properly audited.
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This is clear that the present government does not care for the welfare of the people. This is clear theft of our tax money.
Are you really surprised??? This is the same government that bought a luxurious motor-home so Mathanyula can comfortably deposit his biological waste in a gold plated toilet while x-crossing the poorest country in the world………..and you think they care ? Now we have cholera, leprosy, typhoid fever and army worms and they are willing to spend MK295m for eight pages of commercials………. You go figure!
Clean up house first for sound publicity where authenticity defines the administration being two faced won’t get Malawi anywhere. Investors can’t invest in a turbulent economy!
Tanzania ingolanda dzikoli basi.palibechanzeru angapange anthu amenewa alephera basi
The money is supposed to advertise Malawi about what? 1. Investment in what? What is it that a foreign investor would find attractive that a citizen investor cannot also be a beneficiary? 2. Why not establish an investment bank or cooperation which will coordinate partnerships with both citizen and foreign investors? 3. With a macroeconomic situation is such a dire strait what would be attractive to foreign investors or domestic investors? 4. By the way what is Malawi’s investment policy, strategy, goals and benchmarks? 5. Instead of spending so much money of advertisements why not revamp the website, put in… Read more »
Chitsiru cha president ichi. Mavotavota anuwa a Malawi ndi zimenezotu. Mayi wamwalira ku Mponera chifukwa chosowa fuel kuti apite naye ku chipatala but money is being wasted on useless. No sane investor would dare come to Malawi with the security breakdown in the country. Ma K50,000 amaperekedwa kwa ma bishop osaganizira zipatala galu ameneyu.
Priority upside down.
ma el chapo tikhalepo angati kodi? nyo!
muzingokhalila ‘outrage’ yomweyo anzanu akumanga ma upstairs. DO SOMETHING!
But Goodall is not the right person to carry our purse because of age. How many regimes has he served? I bet he doesn’t direct the people but is liked for royalty; each head of state gets away with what they want coz Goodall facilitates that. Please retire sir, you’ve had your time. Kuli anyamata kunja kuno atha kugwiranso bwino.
You do not know the man.
Why do you think Bingu fired him?
He is not a yes Bwana, he runs the country, ask people that know whats what/
Adverts in Time or Newsweek r not free, they cost a leg or an arm, I am amazed why the opposition did not protest when the government advertised our country on CNN before HE went to USA and UK for trade deals! Adverts put u on the world map so that people know ur country. Time is a respected and very well known magazine and is wildly read the world over. Is advertising the country to the outside world a sin, the MCP has an axe to grind with the government and its not about the advertising but the loss… Read more »