Jack up or get fired —Minister tells DTRSS

Transport and Public Infrastructure Minister Francis Kasaila on Friday told the Directorate of the Road Traffic and Safety Services (DRTSS) management in Blantyre to accept change and start assisting people with speed or get fired.

The minister visited the offices at a time consultants from South Africa were finalising installation of a new computerised system that is expected to be up and running by tomorrow.

The system, the minister was told in the presence of journalists by DRTSS management, would help speed up processing of documents such as drivers’ licences and certificates of fitness, which were taking longer periods.

Kasaila said at a time the public sector is implementing reforms, he is expecting less than quality and speedy service to the public.

He said at a time changes are being made at DRTSS to help serve the public better, there were some officers that were not embracing the changes for reasons known to themselves.

Said Kasaila: “I urge you to change. I have said it elsewhere, and I will repeat it here, accept change or you will be changed. If you will not change, you will be kicked out before I get the boot.”

He said issuance of drivers’ licences corruptly to people that have not gone through driving lessons and passed is what has been contributing to road carnage.

Kasaila also told DRTSS management to decisively deal with people that park vehicles in unauthorised places and along the roads in the cities and townships, urging them to take action and have these vehicles removed. n