LILONGWE,
Malawi
President of Malawi, Lazarus Chakwera, yesterday hinted that some civil servants are failing to adapt to change—in line with his government’s efforts to change the mind-set; a move he said is letting Malawians down through the provision of undesirable services.
Speaking at Kamuzu Palace in
Lilongwe when he presided over the signing ceremony of Public Service Reform
Performance Contracts with 22 ministries, 35 Local Government councils, 10
constitutional bodies and 66 parastatal organisations, Chakwera (pictured above) said although
Malawians have on a number of occasions voted for change of government via
elections, the public service has remained largely unresponsive to the will of
the people.
He said the entire State
machinery was filled with individuals who were bent at continuing doing
business as usual regardless of what the Malawian people vote to see happen in
public offices.
“If Malawians vote for a
president and vice president who promised public sector reform, it is
unacceptable for Capital Hill civil servants to respond by carrying on doing
things as before. If Malawians voted for a president and vice president who
promised to end corruption, it is unacceptable for Capital Hill’s controlling
officers to respond by digging their heels deeper into graft or letting it
happen on their watch.” He said.
“If Malawians voted for a
president and vice president who promised a government of servant-leaders, it
is unacceptable for Capital Hill ministers, secretaries and directors to
respond by continuing to lord it over those they serve. If Malawians voted for
a president and vice president who promised to unite Malawians and galvanise
them to work hard and smart, it is unacceptable for Capital Hill’s work ethic
to be lethargic, lazy and partisan,” Chakwera said.
The Malawi leader said there was
a clear disconnect between public members whose taxes resource the public
sector and the public servants whose talents run it.
Chakwera added that the laissez-faire attitude
in the civil service was deep-looted, such that anyone working to change it is
seen as “munthu ovuta or munthu
odzimva [rabble-rouser]”.
“This attitude is frankly
counter-productive and sick. The truth is that our approach to public service
delivery over the last 26 years has been inefficient and ineffective, driven by
rent-seeking activities more than nation-building ones.
Vice-President Saulos Chilima who
is also Minister of Public Sector Reforms, said, as the demand for greater
accountability grows, the public sector reforms are moving from traditional
implementation-based approaches towards result-based approaches.
“It is everyone’s hope that the
implementation of reforms will lead to a results-oriented, high performing
public service that facilitates positive transformation of the economy and the
country’s modernisation. Integrity will be very key in the delivery of the
reforms,” Chilima said.
Among other commitments, the
government would, through the Ministry of Agriculture, facilitate the
establishment of a fertiliser manufacturing plant. In addition, the
Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) is expected to
implement its Turn-Around Strategy aimed at reclaiming its rightful role.
In energy, Electricity Supply
Corporation of Malawi is expected to implement its turnaround strategy to
improve its financial position.
On its part, the Ministry of
Finance is expected to implement automation in the management of non-tax
revenue.
Finance Minister Felix Mlusu said
his ministry was committed to delivering on its set targets. -
Africa
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