11 shortlisted for Assets Director post

Eleven candidates have appeared before the Public Appointments Committee of Parliament to try their luck to head the much-awaited Directorate of Public Officers Declaration which would be responsible for receiving and verifying declarations of assets of public officers, including the President and members of Parliament.

To be shortlisted, one had to have a minimum qualification of a degree in law, public administration or political science.

Chairperson of the committee Lingson Belekanyama said yesterday that the people shortlisted for the position were suitably qualified and of high integrity befitting the post.

“All the 11 candidates have confirmed that they will attend the interviews and as you can see, these are people of very high integrity. Malawians should be assured that the successful candidate will represent their interests fully,” Belekanyama said.

The committee is expected to complete the process by August 20 to beat the deadline for the President, ministers, MPs and councillors, among others, to submit a summary of their assets, liabilities and business interests.

The successful candidate, to be employed on an intial three-year contract, would be tasked with annually gazetting names of officers who have complied or nor with the requirements and report non-compliance to authorities who would mete out sanctions.

While the declarations would not be accessible to the public without written application with adequate reasons, the director would be expected to present a summary of compliance annually to the responsible minister who would then table the report before Parliament for the public.