SALIMA-(MaraviPost)-Minister of Local Government, Unity, and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda has emphasized the need to promote public officers based on performance, merits to improve quality service delivery.
Chimwendo Banda is against promoting individuals based on political parties affiliation, tribal or regional lineage arguing that the practice kills potential individuals’ zeal to serve the public better.
The minister told Malawi Local Government Association (MALGA)’s Third Annual Award Gala Dinner on Friday night, October 18, 2024 in Salima that for the country to make strides in development capable public officers are key.
“Since, I joined public office as a cabinet minister good number of capable individuals have be victims of tribal or political parties affiliation.
“Many capable officers have not been promoted despite good track records of performance in public service as are deemed belong to a certain tribe or political party. This is wrong,” observes Chimwendo Banda.
He therefore assured, “As long as I’m Local Government Minister, promotion of District Commissioners will be based on performance and merit.
“I will promote individuals within districts as to encourage others to work hard. It’s a bad practice to take someone from other councils to head the district when capable individuals are within the system”.
The minister therefore lauded local council efforts for services delivery despite numerous challenges facing.
Chimwendo Banda therefore said government is committed to provide local authorities with capacity-building and support to improve their service delivery.
MALGA Executive Director Hadrod Mkandawire expressed satisfaction with the positive impact the awards have had on the performance of local councils.
Mkandawire observed the awards have improved public officers’ output efficient in local councils.
“This years we have many awards as all district councils showed dedication in their workplaces for better service delivery.
“The awards have motivated many officers in councils to improve work while serving the general public effectively”, lauds Mkandawire.
During the awards, Lilongwe District Council was recognized for Best Financial Performance Council of the Year, Nkhatabay received the award for Best Performing Council in Education, and Nkhotakota was named Most Committed Council of the Year in support of Malawi 2063, Blantyre remained the best cleaned Council in Malawi.
