Tag Archives: Malawi VP Chilima

Development, Malawi, Top News

Malawi VP Chilima cracks whip on project deadlines: On monitoring tour

Maravi Post Reporter
Chilima

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Picture him in his boots, khaki trousers and khaki shirt, sleeves rolled up and in a heated debate with officials why the Salima Solar project is taking long to complete or why the construction of three Teacher Training Colleges is moving at snail’s pace in Chikwawa.

The country’s leadership then gives them a deadlines, saying Malawians have waited for too long.

This will be exactly the mood of Vice President Saulos Chilima this week when he goes on the ground to track down progress of various public projects in his capacity as Minister of Economic Planning & Development and Public Sector Reforms, according to a program that we have seen.

During the visits, Chilima wants to appreciate the state of implementation and progress made against planned implementation as well as hold discussions with authorities to understand the challenges being encountered.

“Yes, I can confirm about the visits. He wants things to move with speed and he is going on the ground to appreciate progress or challenges being encountered,” said Chilima’s spokesperson Pilirani Phiri in a brief interview.

It is expected that Chilima’s first visit will be Nkhotakota on Monday morning to follow up on the progress of the Msulira-Nkhotakota Road before proceeding to Salima to visit the Salima Solar project that can free up the district from the national grid.

On Tuesday he will be at LUANAR where a number projects are taking place aimed at achieving financial stability for the University. Later in the afternoon the same day, Chilima will check progress of the Cancer Centre.

The Vice President is also expected to track progress of Mponela Community Hospital and Ntcheu-tsangano-Mwanza road before proceeding to the southern region to check progress on the construction of Marka-Nsanje road, Shire Valley Transformation programme in Chikwawa where he will also check progress on the construction of three Teacher Training Colleges.

In Thyolo, Chilima will track progress on the construction of an Industrial Park at MUST as well as the progress on the construction of District Commissioner’s offices.

In Chiradzulu he will monitor the construction of Thumbwe Secondary School as well as construction of a lecture theatre at Magomero college.

The progress tracking campaign will also take Chilima to Blantyre where he will appreciate progress on the Blantyre Bypass road, expansion and rehabilitation of the Polytechnic and construction of new Blantyre police station.

Lifestyle, Malawi, Obituaries

Chilima leads in burying former Miss Malawi Blandina Khondowe

Ufulu

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima on Monday, November 23, 2020 led Malawians in burying former Miss Malawi 2020 Blandina Khondowe at Area 18 cemetery in the capital Lilongwe.

Surprise to many the VP joined ‘Azukulu’ (grave-diggers) in burying the late Blandina who was also UTM member who leader is Chilima Khondowe.

During the actual burial, many people who gathered at the funeral were surprised to see Chilima holding a shovel helping grave-diggers in burying late Khondowe.

Blandina,founder of Think Pink and devoted United Transformation Movement (UTM) member died of breast cancer on Saturday.

The funeral of former Miss Malawi attracted the attention of many and earlier in the day President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera visited consoled bereaved family at area 18.

The funeral also saw the presence of Minister of Information Gospel Kazako, Minister of National Unity and Civic Education Timothy Pagonachi Mtambo and other well-known people.

Speaking after the burial Chilima said he was devastated at the loss of Khondowe he disribed as courageous woman.

Blandina Khondowe, born Blandina Mlenga, was best known for her role as Miss Malawi 2002 and as the founder of Think Pink – Malawi campaign for breast cancer awareness and the ounder of Hope for Cancer Foundation

Development, Malawi

“Statistics key for Sustainable development”-Malawi VP Chilima

Maravi Post Reporter
Chilima

By Taonga Sesani

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Vice President Dr Saulos Chilima has emphasized on the importance of statistics as being key for the attainment of sustainable development.

Chilima made the remarks to commemorate the African Day of Statistics which is celebrated on November 18, every year.

In light of this Chilima called on data users to utilize statistical information in policy formulation and governance.

African statistics gives people in Malawi and across the continent a chance to reflect on importance of statistics in national development.

According to Chilima this year’s event is a reminder to data users on the importance statistics in governance and social economical planning.

“I would like to encourage my fellow citizens to utilize statistical information in planning, policy formulation programming and governance,” he said.

The African’s statistics day was set aside as annual Advocacy tool aimed at raising awareness of the importance of statistics in the economic and social development of African.

This year the event is being celebrated under the theme “Modernising National statistical systems to provide data in statistics to support sustainable peace and development in Africa”.

Development, Malawi

Shame! Malawi VP Chilima sends back unprepared MIM officials

Lloyd M’bwana 1 Comment
Malawi VP Chilima sends back unprepared MIM officials

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-In a dramatic event on going public sector reforms process which Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima is advancing, Malawi Institute of Management (MIM) officials were on Wednesday, September 9, 2020 shamelessly sent back for being not prepared well during the meeting.

In brief statement made available to The Maravi Post, Chilima observes that MIM’s presentation was the most uninspiring portrait of an organization since he resumed working on public sector reforms.

The VP added that it is regressing to tell the institution’s officials that he had no time to waste and they better come again when they are ready and prepared for a discussion meant to perfect an organization.

“I started the afternoon sessions with an engagement with the management team of the Malawi Institute of Management (MIM) to appreciate the strides they are making in the implementation of public sectors reforms aimed at making their institution efficient and effective. However, the meeting did not proceed because halfway through the discussion I sent them back to fully prepare and let us know when they are ready.

“Suffice to say that MIM’s presentation was the most uninspiring portrait of an organization since I resumed working on public sector reforms under the administration of His Excellency Dr. Lazarus Chakwera, President of the Republic,” says Chilima.

He added, “If this is an institution that was established to train top civil servants then as it stands, the institution is not up to the task under its current leadership.

“Clearly, as of now MIM is an organization that is being run down. It is regressing. I told them I do not have time to waste and they better come again when they are ready and prepared for a discussion meant to perfect an organization”.

Chilima observes that from their financial presentation, one could tell that the organization is on its deathbed.

“I have been told that the institution has experienced persistent cash flow challenges resulting into lawsuits; and suppliers refusing to offer them goods and services as well as accumulating arrears in taxes and pension contributions.

“With this obtaining, I expected the Executive Director to be in control of the situation and explain what has led to the current state of affairs and possible solutions being lined up to turn around the situation.

He concluded, “However, it seemed the ED did not have any idea how the institution has found itself in this situation, three years after being at the helm.

“The presentation had no direction and it was difficult to offer input. I therefore asked them to leave and prepare or if they are not up to the task, resign and go home”.

Chilima who is also UTM leader has been championing public sectors reform for effective delivery of service.

Malawi

Nine Heads of Diplomatic Mission pay courtesy calls on Malawi VP Chilima

Maravi Post Reporter
Malawi VP Chilima on diplomatic talks

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Nine Heads of Diplomatic Mission on Friday morning, July 24, 2020 paid courtesy calls on Malawi Vice President Dr. Saulos Chilima at his Capital Hill offices in Lilongwe.

In brief statement made available to The Maravi Post by Chilima’s spokesperson Pilirani Phiri said the Vice President discussed a number of issues with the envoys bordering on social economic development and fostering of International Relations as a precursor for promotion of successful trade policies between nations.

“The nine Heads of Mission who paid the courtesy calls on Dr. Chilima were His Excellency (HE) Jurgen Borsch Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, HE John Ngwata Phiri High Commissioner of the Republic of Zambia, HE Gerald Cunninghum Ambassador of the Republic of Ireland, HE Liu Hongyang Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, HE Hassan Ahmed Shawky Hassan Shawky Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt”, says Phiri.

Chilima a minister responsible for Economic Planning and Development, and Public Services Reforms.

The past week he has been meeting parastatals authorities on how best to improve public institutions performances

The envoys also included Her Excellency Hilda Suka Ambassador of the Republic of Zimbabwe, HE Robert Scott Ambassador of the United States of America, HE Anurag Bhushan High Commissioner of the Republic of India, and HE Prince Ahlangene Sigcau High Commissioner of the Republic of South Africa.

Development, Malawi

Malawi VP Chilima to slap parastatals’ chiefs for late reports submissions

Richard Kayenda
Chilima for public service efficient

MZUZU-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima office has called for disciplinary action on Parastatal Organisations that failed to submit on time Reform Status Reports requested on July 7, 2020.

According to a press statement the Office of the Vice President released on 21 July, 2020, during interface meetings with Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and Directors of Finance in Parastatal Organisations based in the Central Region in Lilongwe and those based in the Southern Region on 7 and 9 July, 2020, respectively, the Vice President requested them to submit the reports by 17 July, 2020.

The statement further indicates that sixty six institutions were expected to submit the reports. Out of which, fifty six delivered on time; with the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEDI) being the first to submit on July 14, 2020.

However, nine parastatals missed the deadline with some of them submitting as late as yesterday, 20 July, 2020 and Malawi Institute of Management (MIM) has not yet submitted until this day.

Therefore, the Vice President has expressed dissatisfaction with the conduct of those that missed the deadline; and has since directed the Controller of Statutory Corporations (SCs) to effect disciplinary action on the CEOs of the ten parastatals; MIM which has not yet submitted, in particular.

Since the Vice President Chilima was appointed as the Minister of Economic Planning and Development and Public Sector Reforms, he has been meeting heads of parastatals and directors of finance in the civil service to effect some changes so as to bring about and efficiency and effectiveness.

Lifestyle, Malawi

“Give people food before Covid-19 lockdown”-Malawi VP Chilima

Maravi Post Reporter
Malawi VP Chilima

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Vice President Saulos Chilima on Sunday, April 26, 2020 told his boss Peter Mutharika that restricting people from their homes for three weeks to contain further spread of Covid-19 without giving them food is condemning them to death by hunger.

Chilima in his address to the nation noted that the majority of Malawians in urban areas live in modest housing where they do not even access to running water in their homes and must access their water either at kiosks or boreholes – which may be some distance from their homes.

The Vice President who is also UTM leader reminded government that these people do not access to electricity hence cannot stock up food in refrigerators; and they have to go to the market on almost a daily basis to get their food.

“In fact, they go out every day to earn only enough to buy food for that particular day. They live hand-to-mouth. Shameful levels of poverty mean that most of these people do not have any savings at all,” he said.

Chilima also noted that there are similar conditions in the villages. He then asked government to design a lockdown that should recognize that for the majority of Malawians they must leave their homes to go and draw water, for instance.

“It is clear that the lockdown that was announced by the government had not been well thought through and had clearly been rushed. We cannot avert thousands of deaths due to coronavirus and yet cause millions of death due to hunger, malnutrition and depression,” said Chilima.

He said a lockdown in Malawi should firstly be based on public health imperatives and should also be supported by credible interventions such as testing on a large scale as well as contact tracing.

“People should also be cushioned from the economic effects of being prevented from earning their daily wages,” he said.

The UTM leader warned that if government rushes to mobilise the military and the police service to enforce the lockdown without addressing people’s concerns, it will simply be pitting the servicemen against the very same people they have sworn to defend.

“We will further be creating room for social unrest and possible grave violations of human rights. This is a path best avoided. A lockdown can only be effective if people have capacity to comply, in our unique situation the population needs government support before they can afford the level of compliance that is needed.

“Only when these are guaranteed and can be scaled up from advice from health experts will a lockdown make sense,” said Chilima.

Malawi has recorded 34 cases, out of which three people have died and four have recovered. Government wanted to lock down the country from April 18 to May 9 but the move was blocked by a court.

Chilima in his statement, also expressed concern over the system of requiring COVID-19 infected people or those who might have been exposed to the virus to self-isolate or self-quarantine.

The UTM leader said the system is not working due to lack of follow-up and reinforcement and because some people live in already crowded homes.

He urged government to abandon the system or revise the home isolation protocols to include active reinforcement and follow up, as well as to create an institutional option for those who have no spare room in their households.

He said: “Institutional isolation centres need to be fit for purpose and human occupation. It is pointless to put people in these centres or facilities if there is no guarantee of scrupulous hygiene, quality medical care, personal security and food.

As of April 26, 2020, Malawi had 34 Covid-19 cases with three deaths.