10 400 public officers declare assets

The Office of the Director of Public Officers Declaration says 10 400 listed public officers have so far declared their assets with the office since December 2014.

Principal declarations officer (public education), Bright Chimatiro, was responding to a question from residents of Area 25 in Lilongwe where the office, in partnership with the National Initiative for Civic Education (Nice) Trust, held a public awareness campaign on the activities of the office and the roles and responsibilities of the public in the declarations regime.

He explained: “With civic education initiatives currently underway, more and more listed institutions are coming forward to seek advice on eligible officers in their offices. Our office continues to engage such institutions to provide technical advice to ensure that those eligible should voluntarily come to declare.”

Meanwhile, the office has partnered Nice Trust to work together in creating awareness on the activities of the office and the duties of the citizens on declarations issue.

The partnership follows revelations that grass roots Malawians are not aware of the activities of the office; hence, it was felt that Nice Trust should incorporate into its civic education initiatives a component to raise awareness on the roles and responsibilities of the office.

One of the participants, Ndaziona Banda, welcomed the awareness campaign, describing it as an eye-opener.