VP Chilima says govt to create ministry of public reforms: Malawi PSs to be reduced by 56

Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima on Thursday spelt out v civil service reforms being carried by Public Service Commission (PSC) and  disclosed that government will create a special ministry responsible for public Service Reforms to enforce implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the reforms that will be taking place.

Chilima, who chairs the commission, told a news conference on Thursday in the capital Lilongwe,  that the aim of the reforms is to facilitate creation of effective and efficient public service that will spur economic growth.

He  called on all Malawians to transform or forget development.

Chilima announced that government wants to match the number of PSs and existing Ministries based on the needs and that  the number of principal secretaries will be reduced  by 56 from the current number of  96 to 40.

“This should be done through transparent and consultative process,” said Chilima.

“We will delete all irrelevant positions in order to come up with lean and vibrant organisation,” he announced.

Chilima said the number of government ministries will not exceed 20..

The VP also notes that junior staff in civil service continues to violate set rules and procedures relating to performance.

“We have noted that there is a senior government management paralysis with regard to their supervisory roles. Now we want senior officials to exercise their mandates and discipline insubordinate staff without fear or favour,” he says.

Chilima said to ensure the independence of the office of the Auditor General, the commission has recommended that the office should be reporting direct to parliament.

The Vice President has named eight ministries to champion the reform program which include: Ministry of Finance, Home Affairs , Education, Transport, Local Government, Energy and Health.

Chilima was flanked by seven commissioners namely; Professor Peter Mwanza, Thomas Mpinganjira, Evelyn Mwapasa, Reverend Matiya Nkhoma, Seodi White, and Bright Mangulama.

Before Chilima spoke, Minister of Information Kondwani Nankhumwa read out a brief background on the objectives of the PSC.

Nankhumwa said the Commission held various meetings with stake holders across the country

He also said training of civil servants at the Malawi Institute of Management (MIM) will resume soon.

Nankhumwa also announced that decentralisation of immigration and road traffic services are underway.

He said the commissioners undertook a special study tour to the following to Kenya, United Kingdom and Singapore.—(Additional reporting by Malawi News Agency)