Chilima challenges parastatals to adopt reforms to spur Malawi economic growth
Vice-President Saulos Chilima has challenged parastatals to adopt the public sector reforms to spur national economic growth.
Speaking after meeting parastatal heads in Lilongwe, Chilima said the parastatals’ performance has been a “mixed bag”; hence, the Tonse Alliance-led administration expects them to improve going forward.
Chilima, who is also Minister for Economic Planning and Development and Public Sector Reforms, said its time for parastatal heads to start showing results or leave the stage for those who can perform.
He said the new administration will not introduce new reforms, but will continue with what is being implemented currently with modifications where necessary.
The meeting was held in camera and attracted hundreds of parastatal heads based in the central region.
In comments reported by the press, governance expert Augustine Magolowondo said public sector reforms are the most crucial reforms to be undertaken if socioeconomic and political transformation is to be achieved in the country.
Magolowondo said the initiative that the Vice-President is embarking on is crucial a dna dvised that Chilima should work on “changing and revolutionalising the people because it’s not just about the policies and legal frameworks in place but the people who are in place matter in terms of their attitude, mindset and their capacities”.
Chilima is serving a second term as Vice-President, having been in the same position under the erstwhile governing Democratic Progressive Party leader Peter Mutharika. Before falling out with Mutharika, the Vice-President was also in charge of the Public Sector Reforms Programme during which he introduced reforms that were lauded by critics for being effective.
Later, Mutharika directed that the reforms be handled by Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) which stalled under the watch of garrulous Seodi White.
SKC would do well to heed the advice in today’s (Wed 08/07/20) Nation editorial: The much needed reforms in parastatals actually have to start at Capital Hill. The main thing that needs to go is POLITICAL INTERFERENCE – this affects procurement contracts, recruitment of Boards and management, misuse of parastatal assets, etc, etc. Also Capital Hill must pay parastatal bills in full and on time. Without doing this, nothing much will be achieved even if parastal employees arrive at work at 06:30 am and knock off at 20:00 hrs, working their butts off. Ruling parties are the main culprits when… Read more »
Seodi Munthali White. I hope you are enjoying your work now. Useless lady. You forgot presidency is not hereditary, people come and go. Your old man is now out for good. Your Ansah is now in UK. You will be reporting to the guy you despised. The president you hated so much will lead the country. Stop pretending to be influential. You could not create Lomwe Kingdom. USELESS
These public sector reforms are overrated. They are just housekeeping issues like punctuality etc. Substantive issues would have involved the heads of the boards that run the parastatals. If you wanted to change MEC would you deal with CEO of MEC or Chair of MEC/the commissioners?
Encouraging and brings hope to Malawians – but couldn’t fail noticing that some of these CEOs are your personal childhood friends Mr Deputy President. Take Khwesi for example, he is your childhood friend. This is the exact conduct we are trying to eradicate. The appointment of Khwesi and your other childhood friends as CEOs is unfortunate, it makes such meetings as this one turn into a regular hook up. We need clean politics. No buddy system.
Seodi White – what can she do best apart from CRYING 😭🇲🇼
Papa no connection fee ku magesi ndi madzi eti a Vice President
Great leader, indeed, this guy knows the importance of time.Government officials do not waste government time.Time management is a skill itself,I hope every official knows that.Thank you Chilima.we want results.