Goodall ‘sorry’ for civil servants salary delays

Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe has apologised to civil servants after salary delays left them without their wages.

Affected with the delay include judiciary staff, teachers, nurses, prison wardens, and a range of other civil servants.

“I must apologise for the delay,” said Gondwe in parliament after being pressured by opposition members of Parliament (MPs) led by Rumphi East MP Kamlepo Kalua (People’s Party-PP) to explain the reasons behind delayed salaries despite the House having duly passed the 2015/16 National Budget last week.

Gondwe said it is “important” that people are made aware that the situation is as a result of “improvements being made to the Ifmis [Integrated Financial Management Information System].”

He said: “We are trying to fix and make enhancements, thus it has not been possible for us to process the salaries.”

Gondwe disclosed that salaries for the Ministry of Health have been processed.

He assured Parliament that the rest of the civil servants will be paid “immediately”

However, Dedza East MP Juliana Lunguzi (Malawi Congress Party-MCP)asked Gondwe to “clearly state what he means by immediately.”

Lunguzi said: “Ambulances in many hospitals are grounded because there is no money for fuel.”