Malawi’s top legal advisor, Attorney General Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda, has disclosed that the government is working hard to recover over K8 billion the National Bus Services Limited reportedly benefitted from state-owned bus depots across the country.
Nyirenda made the sentiments after the High Court in Lilongwe adjourned hearing of the case as the AG is on an international trip.
Earlier, the state paraded three witnesses in the case with the latest one a state-owned liquidator for shire bus line services Hastings Bofomo Nyirenda.
Bofomo Nyirenda told the court that the process of transferring assets to National Bus Services Limited was unlawful, citing failure to involve a liquidator, which is a requirement by the Public Private Partnership Commission.
Thabo Chakaka: Government is working towards recovering the money
He added that the process, which was done around 2018 and was done under political powers.
In his remarks outside the court, Thabo Chakaka Nyirenda said the state will move the courts for the said amounts to be recovered.
But one of the defence lawyers, John Kalampa, maintained that the process was legal.
National Bus Services is owned by Mulli Brothers Limited, which wielded a lot of power during the administration of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MCCCI) has applauded the administration of President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera for introducing a number of incentives through the 2023-2024 National Budget.
MCCCI president Lekani Katandula said it was gratifying that the Tonse Alliance government introduced tax incentives even at a time the economy was going through turbulence inflicted by global and regional economic shocks.
“In particular, we noted the introduction of duty-free importation of equipment and building materials, and tax holidays of up to 10 years for mega farms and related agro-processing. We take this as a serious signal of your government’s commitment to reversing the current unwanted economic trend in this country,” said Katandula.
He urged the government to continue making improvements in the energy sector in order to improve reliability and access for the wider population.
President Lazarous Chakwera and the First Lady Monica Chakwera inspecting OVOP pavilion during the 53 Trade Fair in Blantyre, Abel Ikilon, Mana
The MCCCI boss further asked the government to promote fiscal discipline in the use of financial resources so that Malawi can reverse the unsustainable debt position.
“We urge the government to prioritize procurement of domestically produced goods and services to boost local production and save foreign exchange; revisit our land laws and regulations to make them more investor friendly; and increase investment in Research and Development to supplement that of the private sector. [Additionally], we urge the government to promote development of entrepreneurial skills. We believe that such efforts would go a long way in promoting exports and reducing imports, thus balancing the trade position,” he said.
Katandula assured Chakwera that the private sector, on the other hand, will play its role of increasing production and raising product value addition to satisfy not only the local demand but also to compete on the global markets.
He added that the private sector will embrace innovation and reduce over-reliance on imported products.
In his speech, President Chakwera directed MBS to fast-track the processing of business certificates and certifications to enable SMEs to grow their businesses and increase productivity.
Child Rights Information and Documentation Centre (CRIDOC) – one of the child-centred organizations in Malawi – has obtained a court order stopping the Board of Directors for Malawi Network of AIDS Service Organizations (MANASO) from discharging its duties, arguing its mandate expired a long time ago.
CRIDOC Executive Director Edward Phiri confirmed in an interview after sharing a press release earlier on Wednesday, adding that the decision was made by his organization’s board at a meeting held on 3rd March 2023.
Phiri disclosed that CRIDOC Board of Trustees passed a resolution to seek litigation against MANASO Board of Trustees on the basis that their [MANASO] actions are illegal since their term of office expired and are now into fourth term without calling for Bi-Annual General Meeting.
“Their actions have a direct bearing on CRIDOC as a paid-up member. In light of this development, the Board of Trustees applied for an injunction against MANASO’s Board of Trustees filed at the High Court in Lilongwe on 21st April 2023 based on the following provisions of the revised MANASO Constitution (2013),” he said in a phone interview.
According to a press release, which Phiri has co-signed with his Board Chairperson Cyprian Chimbiya, the MANASO Board contravened Article 36, which stipulates that i) A member of the Board of Trustees shall hold office for three years and shall be eligible for re-nomination for a further period of three; ii) No Trustee may serve more than two consecutive full terms of office.
However, since 2013 when the Biannual General Meeting (BGM) was held, up-to-date no BGM was conducted and the board has been automatically renewing its tenure, they are now into their fourth term of office.
Maziko Mtemba
“Congruently, the Board also contravened MANASO constitution by allowing Regional Committees to operate without elections to serve for a term of two years subject to re-election for another last term, but to-date they are serving their 10th tenure. The Board also created a district committee structure which is not provided for in the constitution,” reads the statement in part.
Phiri and Chimbiya are further accusing the MANASO Board of failing to uphold and comply with the Core Values of MANASO as enshrined in Article 12 as follows: Be accountable to those we serve, partners, donors and each other; Be transparent in our decision making and actions; Remain committed to our duties and those we serve and work with; Promote diversity and inclusion in our actions, programming, and messaging; and Demonstrate mutual respect for others and each other.
It also accused MANASO Board of Directors of failure to comply with Article 29 among which stipulates that; The Trustees have a fiduciary duty to MANASO, which requires them to exercise their powers in the best of the organization as per detailed in the Board of Trustees Manual; and Act reasonably, prudently, and in good faith, with a focus on the best interest of the organization.
The MANASO Board is further criticized for contravening Article 14 which stipulates that; 1) Bi-Annual General Meeting (BGM) shall be held every two years.
There was no immediate response from the accused MANASO Board of Directors, which comprises Maziko Matemba as Board Chairperson, Lillian Dindi Kumwenda as Vice Chairperson, Bishop Silent Mtambo (Board Member from Ebenezer Foundation), Nelson Zakeyu (Board Member from Drug Fight Malawi), Gift Mwale (Board Member from Kasalika Community Development Organisation) Edward Kammunda (Board Member from Ladders for Development), Agness Mangoche and Philip Nthobwa.
President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has called upon authorities at the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) to ensure speedy certification processes, stressing that this is key in promoting small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Chakwera has also called for the modification of the product certification system to suit the needs and conditions of small-scale processors and producer.
Chakwera made the call on Wednesday when he officially opened MBS Complex and the 2023 International Trade Fair in Blantyre.
The President said with the MBS Office Complex now in full operation, he expects the Bureau to be instrumental in challenges SMEs are facing to grow their businesses.
“I expect the complex will help fast-track the information dissemination to SMEs and cooperatives to enable them to involve the Bureau in the early stages of their production for increased success in attaining certification. To put it bluntly, Minister, I want the complaints from the private sector players attending this Trade Fair about the slowness of government in issuing certificates to end, because in this digital age, no certificate should require a business to walk physically into any office and no certificate should take more than a few days to secure,” he said.
President Lazarous Chakwera appreciating a Nulite pavilion at Trade Fair grounds in Blantyre, Abel Ikilon, Mana
Chakwera further stated that he expects that the opening of the complex will strengthen collaboration between the MBS and SMEDI in support of SMEs and making the fees payable by the SMEs favourable.
“Everywhere I go, friends of Malawi who want to help us succeed say that our economy has huge potential, but our problem as a nation is that we take too long to facilitate things for businesses and investors. The world is moving at lightning speed into the future and yet we have too many people in this country still moving in slow motion. I don’t want to hear that this is happening here, and I assure you that I will send people regularly to check. I don’t want businesses that are working hard to be productive, like the ones whose exhibitions I have seen at this year’s Trade Fair, to be slowed down in their ability to put goods on the local and international market because of slowness in certification procedures,” he said.
Chakwera also told MBS that this is the right time when the Bureau needs to rackdown on the use of illegal weighing instruments by vendors on the market to ensure farmers are benefitting from their sweat.
President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has challenged small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Malawi to increase productivity in order to complement government efforts to create jobs, wealth and achieve food security.
Speaking after officially opening the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) Office Complex and International Trade Fair in Blantyre on Wednesday, Chakwera said increased productivity is the surest way Malawi can deal with the toll recent cyclones have had on the economy.
“We must focus on productivity because it is what has suffered the most in our economy. When past decisions saddled our country with unsustainable debt, our productivity suffered. When Covid-19 entered our borders and forced us to restrict movement for public safety, our productivity suffered. When Tropical Storms Ana and Gombe fell on us weeks apart from each other and took out a third of our power supply, our productivity suffered.
“When the conflict in Eastern Europe disrupted the supply chain for many commodities and sent global prices of fuel and fertilizer through the roof, our productivity suffered. When drought conditions hit the northern region and Cyclone Freddy made landfall twice and left the southern region in ruins, our productivity suffered,” said the President.
President Lazarous Chakwera appreciating a Nulite pavilion at Trade Fair grounds in Blantyre, Abel Ikilon, Mana
He said this is why his administration has given top priority to increase productivity through the promotion of commercialization, industrialization and urbanization so that Malawi can achieve job creation, wealth creation, and food security.
Chakwera added that it is this pursuit of increased productivity that he addressed a global forum of international investors within the first sixty days of being in office, and made an effort to restore our broken relationship with neighboring countries that are Malawi’s first trading partners.
“The pursuit of increased productivity is the reason I go far and wide to negotiate trade and investment deals and secure new markets. The pursuit of increased productivity is the reason I directed that an SME order be gazetted in the early months of my administration to create business growth opportunities for local enterprises,” he said.
Chakwera has since challenged MBS to ensure it expedites processing of certificates to enable SMEs to grow their businesses and increase productivity.
Good governance analysts and social media fanatics have condemned former President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM) for developing and submitting an unsolicited Tropical Cyclone Freddy recovery plan to the United Nations (UN).
Mutharika, who hitherto has persistently refused to take part in mobilizing financial and material resources for supporting survivors of the stormy rains, took Malawians by surprise when he submitted what he has termed as recovery plan pegged at K1.4 trillion.
The former Head of State claims that his recovery plan focuses on supporting the recovery needs for the people affected by the cyclone.
“The total estimated requirement for disaster recovery and reconstruction needs for the identified and affected sectors is Mk 1.4 trillion which is equivalent to US$1.34 billion. The plan highlights damages suffered by various sectors among others Agriculture and Livelihoods, Education, Health and Nutrition, Housing, Transport and Energy, Water and Sanitation. These damages include crops, land for farming and infrastructure,” reads the executive summary of his plan.
But this has angered Malawians, who argued that APM had no powers to develop and submit such a plan because he is not in charge of state affairs.
“In what capacity has developed and submitted the plan? As a former Head of State of a mere citizen? I think the man is indeed old and needs to rest,” reacted Brenda Kadwala of Area 25 in Lilongwe.
Arthur Peter Mutharika submitted a recovery plan to UN
Another Lilongwe resident, Lyson Kwenda Msimuko, wondered whether Mutharika is using his retirement well, fearing his bitterness about loss of power would take him to worse heights.
“I mean how can a whole learned constitutional lawyer draft and submit an unsolicited recovery plan to development partners? This man is up to something else, which Malawians must guard against. He is not a patriot as he claims and must be avoided at any cost,” said Msimuko.
On the other hand, a governance commentator Benedicto Kondowe observed that Mutharika’s recovery plan is not clear on the institutional framework.
Kondowe also noted that the plan is silent on accountability mechanisms, fearing granting such a plan its wish would lead to abuse of resources.
“Secondly, the recovery plan must be placed within the existing government efforts or policies. I have struggled to see the connection between the proposed plan and the one championed by the government. The HE addressed Parliament on the recovery plan and the cost implications. Therefore, one would love to see how the proposed plan is complementing or adding value to the government’s efforts,” he said.
He added that the plan is not clear how the proposed plan intends to work with key MDAs and councils in the identified sectors of focus.
“It is good that the plan is premised on shortfalls in the government disaster response. But addressing some of the identified challenges requires a clear strategy of cooperation with government MDAs, DPs, NGOs and councils . Otherwise, running the proposed plan parallel to government processes with the earmarked investment might not be strategic and beneficial,” said Kondowe.
At the height of the disaster, President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera invited his predecessors to Sanjika Palace to discuss and identify measures for addressing effects from the storm.
While Bakili Muluzi and Joyce Banda welcomed and honoured the invitation, APM stayed away, stating that he had no solution to the challenges the survivors were facing because he is not a ‘technical person’.
Malawi President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has departed Lilongwe on Monday morning for Blantyre where he is set to preside over the inauguration of the new state-of-the-art Head Office of the Malawi Bureau of Standards (MBS) in Blantyre.
Official communication from the State House says while in Blantyre, the President will also open the 33rd International Trade Fair scheduled to take place on Wednesday.
According to the communication, MBS facilities will enhance and improve production standards, thereby increasing potential for international trade, by adhering to international standards of practice employed in assessing the quality of goods.
It adds that President Chakwera will be seeking to capitalize on entrepreneurial innovation and investment opportunities, during the opening of this year’s annual International Trade Fair under the theme ‘Rebalancing Malawi’s Trade through Industrialization’.
On arrival at the Chileka International Airport, President Chakwera was welcomed by Minister of Information and Digitization, Moses Kunkuyu, and his Water and Sanitation counterpart, Abida Mia, among other officials.
Malawi President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has condemned laziness and laissez faire way of doing business among employees in government ministries, departments and agencies, warning that his administration will not tolerate this behavior anymore.
Chakwera disclosed that he has directed Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC) to immediately engage the Department of Human Resource Management and Development (DHRMD) to identify and hold accountable employees who are not showing up for work or spend their time chatting instead of working.
The President made the sentiments at the celebrations of Kamuzu Day held at Civo Stadium in Lilongwe on Sunday.
President Lazarus Chakwera
Apparently, majority of the civil servants spend most of their otherwise productive hours either gossiping or plaiting hair, a situation that has resulted in the lowering down of service delivery in public offices.
Chakwera said his administration is ready to deal with anyone civil servant that sits on their laurels and slowing down the country’s progress instead of doing their work, or who are not complying with the law.
“In fact, I want to see a robust mechanism immediately developed and implemented for regularly assessing the efficiency, impartiality, and integrity of every MDA and Statutory Corporation so that those MDAs that are excelling can be celebrated and supported and those that are failing can be disciplined, including defunding them where appropriate. And I want to see every civil servant being required to take an oath of service and allegiance every year, as a reminder of what is required of them and the standards they will be held accountable to,” he said.
The President urged the civil servants and all Malawians to emulate the departed leader who demonstrated courage and selflessness in his service to the nation.
According to Chakwera, Kamuzu created the best civil service in Southern Africa, but has, for three decades, been steadily destroyed on the watch of some controlling officers who are afraid to discipline their charges and others who participate in the indiscipline.
He warned that his administration will not allow this to continue.
“So, whether one likes it or not, I will not allow this to continue, because we are fixing this country. We are fixing this country institution by institution, layer by layer, district by district, village by village, road by road, and sector by sector. Kamuzu already showed us the way, and all we must do is return our feet to that path,” emphasized Chakwera.
President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera has urged Malawians to set out on a reconstruction process, challenging that no one will come to develop the country except the natives themselves.
Chakwera made the sentiments in Lilongwe on Sunday during celebrations to mark Kamuzu Day. The celebrations took place at Civo Stadium where various activities, such as traditional dances and football match, were featured.
The President said time had gone when Malawians should be thinking that outsiders would come to develop this country.
“No one is coming to develop our country for us. No one is coming to generate forex for us. No one is coming to build industries for us. No one is coming to reconstruct the roads we have lost, or to rebuild the homes that have collapsed, or to replant the fields that have been washed away, or to conduct elections for us. We have to do that ourselves, and that means we have to fight for it with the same fighting spirit Kamuzu modeled for us,” he said.
Chakwera: We can develop the country without involving outsiders
Chakwera urged Malawians to emulate the departed former president, Ngwazi Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda, who served this nation with courage and selflessness.
He said it is against this background that Malawians celebrate his birthday to remind one another about the important role he played in laying the foundation for the natin.
“We have gathered here to celebrate Kamuzu, the father of our nation, a nation we call home. We have come to do so because there is much about our nation’s Founder that is worth celebrating, and today I would like to highlight three; three things about Kamuzu that are worth celebrating and emulating at this critical juncture in our nation’s history.
“First, it is worth celebrating and emulating Kamuzu’s fighting spirit. As we all know, the founding of our nation did not come cheap. The colonial Government did not give us independence out of the goodness of its heart. The founding of our nation took courage in many forms. Kamuzu had the courage to say no to foreign oppression, and we must celebrate and emulate that by rejecting every outsider we find oppressing or mistreating Malawians in our own country. Kamuzu also had the courage to go to prison for the liberation of his people, and we must celebrate and emulate that by fighting for the public good, not for our personal interests. Kamuzu had the courage to leave a comfortable life abroad to come stand with Malawians in their struggle, and we must celebrate and emulate that by sacrificing our own comforts to make Malawi better, not just complaining about it to make Malawians bitter,” said Chakwera.
He added, “Kamuzu was a courageous fighter, and his was a generation of courageous fighters. Today, one of the blessings of Malawi is that it is a nation at peace, but we have to be careful not to confuse peace with being agreeable. Peace means we do not fight each other. It does not mean we do not fight for anything. We have to fight for each other. We have to fight for opportunities. We have to fight for success. We have to fight for life. We have to fight against injustice, disunity, corruption, imperialism, lawlessness, and pettiness. If we are going to rise from the ashes and ruins left behind by debt, the ashes and ruins left behind by Covid-19, the ashes and ruins left behind by climate change, then we have to fight for our own selfreliance, our own self-improvement, and our own self-determination. No one is coming to develop our country for us.”
The British High Commissioner to Malawi, Fiona Ritchie, has pledged her government’s commitment to always be there for Malawi and its people in times of crisis.
Ritchie further stated that her government is committed to working with the Malawi Government in lessening the impact of future climate shocks, such as floods and droughts.
She made the pledge in Lilongwe on Thursday during the coronation celebration in Lilongwe.
“Our aim is to move away from expensive annual humanitarian responses towards longer-term investments, which address the root causes of poverty and vulnerability in Malawi. We will leverage UK climate finance to help build the resilience of Malawi’s population and economy to shocks,” said Ritchie, citing Malawi 2063, which sets out the country’s goal to reach middle-income status by 2063.
She said UK is determined to play its part in helping to achieve this ambition.
Ritchie: UK government is committed to help Malawi government
At this point, Ritchie commended the incumbent government for the ‘difficult decisions it has already taken to address significant debt and foreign exchange challenges’.
“And we stand with Malawi as it makes the further structural reforms required to set the economy on a sustainable footing. Economic growth cannot be achieved by governments alone. The vast majority of all jobs in the world are created by private enterprise. It is by being economically active, and having a job, that citizens can improve their living standards and, importantly, to thrive on their own terms. A vibrant private sector is therefore essential to boost growth and prosperity in countries like Malawi. Ensuring that investors are treated fairly under the rule of law is critical to trade and investment and will help the private sector to grow,” she narrated.
She added, “For our part, over the next few years, the UK will increase our investments in supporting trade facilitation. I’m delighted to announce that implementation of the Value Chain component of our Malawi Trade and Investment Programme began this month. It focuses on catalysing investment into high value exports to diversify Malawi’s narrow export base and generate much needed foreign exchange.”
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