Chakwera warns principal secretaries not to become complacent

Malawi: President Lazarus Chakwera has warned the country's principal secretaries (PSs) that he will not tolerate any attitudes or behaviours in the civil service that are intended to cause government failure.

Chakwera made the remarks on Tuesday at the Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe during an interface meeting with the PSs.

The president stated that he met with Principal Secretaries from all Government ministries, departments, and agencies to discuss what needs to be done to expedite the repair of systems that have been broken for several decades.

“As controlling officers, Principal Secretaries are a critical human resource in the delivery of our long-term priorities, as outlined in the Malawi Vision 2063, the 1st 10-Year Implementation Plan (MIP1) and the three-year Socio-Economic Recovery Plan,” said the president.

The Malawian leader then pleaded with them to work tirelessly on this task under the supervision of the Secretary to the President and Cabinet (SPC).

“My administration will continuously evaluate the controlling officers to ensure absolute adherence and smooth collaboration within the whole government machinery,” Chakwera said.

He stated that in addition to the proposed quarterly performance appraisals, they devised a plan to hold monthly meetings between the Principal Secretaries and the SPC.

“A better Malawi begins with an efficient, disciplined and corrupt-free civil service,” he stated.