Chilima’s punctuality puzzles Goodal: Finance Minister hails Malawi VP

Finance Minister GoodalL Gondwe on Thursday was visibly puzzled by Vice President  Saulos Chilima’s punctuality to meetings, prompting the Minister to publicly commend the Vice President.

The Minister then apologised for coming 25 minutes late at the launch of the Malawi Institute of Procurement and Supply (MIPS) Act at BICC in Lilongwe where Dr.Chilima was Guest of Honour and arrived seven minutes earlier of his scheduled arrival time of 9 am.

“But I think I wasn’t late. It is the VP who was too early. Your Honour, when they tell you to arrive at 9 am please come 15 minutes late,” said Gondwe referring to the VP’s trademark punctuality.

“But on a serious note, my apologies for coming late, Your Honour,” said the Minister.

Chilima, a workaholic, is well known for time management and on several occasions organisers of functions have had to call his staff to tell him to delay so that they complete preparations.

“Tell them I have already started off and they will find me seated once they are ready. I thought we agreed on time,” this has been the VPs response according to those close to him.

At one occasion, the Vice President locked out Principal Secretaries and Directors who had come to a meeting where he was briefing top government officials on the need to reform the way the country conducts its business.

The MIPS Act which the VP launched is meant to tighten the grip on procurement processes in the country so that workers follow laid down rules and procedures.