Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation Joseph Mwanamvekha has faulted the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) administration for initiating mass recruitments and promotions without allocating resources to support the same.
In his Mid-Year Budget Review Statement winding up speech del ivered in Par l iament on Monday, the minister said that in a space of six months, from April to September this year, the MCP
administration recruited 33 000 officers and promoted 31 953 in various ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) without corresponding resources in the budget.
“In addition, many officers were recruited on contract basis irrespective of grades in various MDAs. This is clear evidence of irresponsible public finance management,” said Mwanamvekha.
He said the new Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration effected a freeze in promotions and recruitments
after taking over power following triumph in the September 16 General Election.
Mwanamvekha said the freeze was temporary and will not cripple public service delivery as earlier claimed by MCP spokesperson on Finance in Parliament Eisenhower Mkaka.
In the statement, the minister said government has provided additional resources of about K98.5 billion towards wages and salaries.
When contacted yesterday to clarify why they made recruitments without a supporting budget, former minister of Finance Simplex Chithyola Banda laughed off the allegations, saying there is no way government can embark on recruitments without allocating resources.
The Leader of Opposition in Parliament, said what Malawians want are jobs and promotions so that they are able to put food on the table and he called on government to ensure that people are being recruited and promoted.
The Tonse Alliance Government led by MCP promised to create one million jobs as a way of empowering people economically and dealing with unemployment in the country
