Open up on reforms—Chilima

Vice-President Saulos Chilima has asked public servants in the frontline of implementing public service reforms to be advocates for the 17 million Malawians who will benefit from the successes of their outlined reform areas.

The Public Service Reforms Commission is holding a two-day orientation for heads of statutory corporations, directors of ministries and departments and public relations officers on progress and sustainability of public sector reforms.

Chilima, who chairs the commission, warned that reforms would continue long after the people holding positions were no longer in office because the programme was not for the benefit of the President or the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) but Malawians.

In his address which touched on milestones of the reforms, terms of reference of reform champions and reporting relationships, Chilima said lack of resources was not an excuse for failing to implement the reforms, most of which were merely management reforms.

Some of the reform successes includes a K5 billion increase in the Roads Fund following the automation of the fuel levy adjustment, reduction of period of business registration from 38 to five days and introduction of a credit registry for small business owners.

To public relations officers, Chilima had this to say: “It is your responsibility to share this information within your organisation but also with the media. We don’t mind as a commission to share your information but we want orderliness. If a PRO delegates upwards, you’re telling them you are firing yourself.”

Secretary for Department of Public Service Reform Managament, Nwazi Mnthambala, outlined public service reforms and areas which various ministries, departments and parastatals are carrying out periodically. n