Malawi gov’t condemns MEJN’s ‘fabrications
Government has faulted the Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN) for reportedly “misleading” Malawians by providing them with wrong and misrepresented information.
This follows a report which was published in the media issued by MEJN titled “Gross public resource wastage and inefficiency in the public service” that dwells on misuse of public funds.
Government states that the report has several shortfalls because it has inadequate information which has also been misrepresented and has given a false picture to the public.
“Government is, therefore, advising MEJN to first of all verify the facts with the stakeholders concerned before issuing any press statements to avoid misleading the general public.
“In addition, government strongly advises members of the civil society and any other groups interested to know how public resources are being spent in the Malawi Public Service to always be factual, objective and ethical when presenting such issues to the public,” observes government in a statement issued by the Office of the President and Cabinet and made available to Nyasa Times on Sunday.
The statement further says Malawians have a right to be accorded truthful information on what is happening in their public service and not to be provided with wrong and misrepresented information, which is a huge disservice to the people.
“It is important to always be mindful that we have undertaken to honestly and responsibly serve the people of Malawi in our various roles and, therefore, strive to provide the nation truthful information and not lies or misrepresented facts at all times,” it says.
However, government has confirmed the public service was facing many challenges which are deep rooted and have accumulated for many years over previous administrations.
“We can solve these problems effectively if we accept this… Government believes that we can address these problems successfully if we face them objectively and as a team with all stakeholders including the civil society organisations instead of using the situation to throw around unsubstantiated allegations,” it explains in a statement titled “Government position on misrepresentations made by the Malawi Economic Justice Network (MEJN) statement.”
Among others, MEJN highlighted issues Auditor General’s report year ending 30 June 2011 on Farm Input Subsidy Programme and Failure to produce payment vouchers for audit review in the Irrigation Department to substantiate the alleged Gross Public Resource Wastage and Inefficiency in the Public Service.
It also attacked government on the status of the proposed three teacher training colleges’ project- Rumphi, Chikhwawa and Mchinji- which, according to MEJN, government had abandoned construction as its future looks bleak.
The CSO also commented on the 102 kilometre Zomba-Jali-Phalombe-Chitakale road project whose construction commenced on 15th November, 2005 but is yet to be completed, almost eight years down the line.
Other issues which, according to MEJN, expose the public service’s gross public resource wastage and inefficiency are the Umoyo Housing and E-Government projects.
Meanwhile, MEJN has reportedly apologised to government for some shortfalls in its report.
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