Chitipa, Karonga information offices want more resources
Chitipa and Karonga district information officers have bemoaned shortage of resources in their offices.
The two information officers made the remarks on Wednesday when Minister of Information and Communications Technology Gospel Kazako paid an impromptu visit to Karonga District Information Office.
Karonga district information officer Andrew Banda said the shortage of resources demotivated them from effectively disseminating vital information to the public.
“As source of information at district level, offices have to be technologically equipped if the process of news gathering, processing and dissemination is to be timely,” he said.
Banda said since subscription of a World Bank-installed Internet equipment expired, the ministry has shown no interest to renew the subscription to enhance communication.
“We dig deeper into our pockets for data to send stories. Again, our ministry is not devolved, as the result, we do not get funding for essential needs to efficiently discharge our duties,” he said.
His Chitipa counterpart Bishop Witmos said most of his staff members have worked for more than 20 years on the same grade without promotion.
On his part, Kazako challenged the information officers in the districts to focus on issues that will develop the country in line with the Tonse Alliance agenda.
He said: “Time has come for district agricultural, cultural and developmental issues to get the much-needed exposure.
“The Tonse Alliance philosophy is to create opportunities to benefit all Malawians. Therefore, write in-depth stories that affect all spheres of human life if we are to develop.”
The minister has since assured district information officers that the ministry will look into challenges they are facing to improve service delivery.
Kazako earlier visited Dinosair and Tuntufye FM radio stations in Karonga.
