Goodall urges care for equipment

Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe has asked members of Parliament (MPs) to stop accusing government of failing to maintain equipments in various departments due to lack of funds.

Instead, Gondwe, who stood to clarify why government needed the Aviation Bill passed, said government departments should take the initiative to care for public property because they are the custodians.

He said: “It is not true that we fail to maintain property because we do not have money, but the way we handle these equipments. The other day I was with donors and they were angry that the X-ray machines which they had distributed in various hospitals are not working.

“Here, the issue is not about government failing, but its lack of responsibilities. What can be so difficult to take the initiative and take care of these equipments?”

The minister said if Malawians make it a point to take care of government equipment, the country can move on to dealing with other issues as opposed to moving in circles. n