Malawi civil service ‘cleanup’ team goes to ‘war’ against looting public funds
The Public Service Systems Review Taskforce which government announced last week Friday has rolled into action and held its first meeting in Lilongwe on Thursday to roll out its work to comprehensively review systems of allowances, procurement and employment contracts which have over the years been conduits of looting public funds.
The meeting – chaired by Vice President Saulos Chilima – marked “the first day of the 90-day assignment” as mandated by President Lazarus Chakwera according to a statement released on Thursday night.
The statement signed by Chilima’s spokesperson Pilirani Phiri indicated that after realising the urgency of the task at hand, the Taskforce members have agreed and committed to deliver a comprehensive recommendation report within the stipulated 90 days.
“But (the Taskforce) will be reporting progress and making recommendations on quick-wins e.g. Procurement. Thus, four sub-committees have been formed to tackle specific tasks: (i) Procurement (ii) Allowances (iii) Employment Contracts (iv) Conditions of Service,” it said.
In carrying out the work, it is expected that the Taskforce will be engaging different stakeholder groups depending on the specific task at hand as well as regularly engaging and updating both the media and the public.
“To this effect, special email addresses will be created and communicated where the public could deposit their input on the task at hand,” it further said.
In the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic, the Taskforce members have further agreed that they will largely be holding meetings virtually save for situations where physical meetings are inevitable, according to the statement.
The 14-member Public Service Systems Review Taskforce, led by Vice-President Chilima, who is also Minister responsible for Economic Planning and Development and Public Sector Reforms, comprises different professionals such as academicians and lawyers.
Some of the members in the team are former secretary to Treasury Professor Ronald Mangani, professors Nyovani Madise, Ngeyi Kanyongolo, Wiseman Chijere Chirwa, Dr. Henry Chingaipe, private practice lawyer John Suzi Banda and former principal secretary in the Office of the Vice-President responsible for Public Sector Reforms Management Nwazi Mnthambala.
Political and social commentator Humphreys Mvula also said the team brings hopes that it will deliver the demands because so far the Vice-President has been seen to be an “action-oriented person”.
President Chakwera mandated Vice President Chilima to form and lead the taskforce on February 14 amidst a public outcry over the embezzlement of the K6.2 Billion meant for Covid 19 but was largely used for allowances for government officials.
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Why are people paid allowances in the first place??? Even in the private sector people get allowances. So let’s not rush….. Let’s understand the situations first. We know the system is being abused but let’s not be naive to think government employees can operate without the allowances.
Allowances must be abolished. Salaries have to absorb all the allowances. Employees must have their jobs and where traveling is necessary the office must provide the necessary resources for accommodation, meals and transport. No money apart from salary should be accessed by employees on duty outsude their work station. Where other miscllenious expenses are required , the office shall provide a cash float that h been dully approved by controlling officers and can be audited monthly and verified. This should not exceed K100000 otherwise such services can be paid by the office using normal paument procedures.
Nsanje
Use the same people who have the experience on government affairs to correct the mistakes.Mukachita mopupuluma mufika pena njiii kusowa poyambira.Chibaba chomanganacho chidzakubwererani.
My first reaction is that this nosensenod hiring people likebNtumudzi and Bendulo to senior positions from outside the civil service should stop. These are the people who come to destroy the civil service. All positions should be completed and we dint want criminals like Ntumodzi, Bendulo kalumbu, Brian Banda and Kapondangaga in the civil service.
Much as I want these thievery caught. But more task forces won’t help. And I see failure by the Gvt. Desperation, lack of influence and leadership. Failing to lead the already existing crime busting urgencies. Osangopanga hire independent forensic auditors bwa? Auditors general akutani mu office? Public procurement committee ikutani Police ili kuti? Parliament ikutani? Ministry of finance? Together with the VPs office ACB? Juniciary? Human rights groups? If all those were lead and engaged and if somebody would lead them to a place of integrity they would have delivered. Or else more task forces who gets more allowances these… Read more »
Are there highly qualified auditors and accountants in this group. Not talking Kkkkkk about managers but maybe forensic auditors? Are there enough independent professionals because more gvt officials means this will be another rocking chair and gets us no where. Also can this be the last task force nonsense? Because ACB is meant to have all professionals to handle matters of such urgency. And I wonder why gvt is paying ACB if it can’t trust them. How about Mr President remodel ACB to deliver as an independent crime investigation bureau??? I mean we need as a nation to invest in… Read more »
Zeze has been in public sector reforms together with Seodi White…..for a number of years! What’s different today? And in 90 days! [..nice suit and black shoes…though]
Let’s calculate how much of the allowances that they have received for this meeting?
Allowances must fall!
Ndiye za 90 days ndalama zingati? Ma alowance oopsa mutapasane pamenepo. Nthawi inayake muzilowako mu ma ghetto, and see for yourselves people suffering. Tasforce upon taskforce, but the people are still in tatters. Allowances upon allowances….may the ancestors of our land intervene.