Minister justifies RA board composition
Minister of Transport and Public Works Jacob Hara says the newly hired Roads Authority (RA) comprises competent people to provide strategic guidance to the authority.
The minister’s explanation in an interview yesterday largely followed the appointment of gender specialist and theologian Matilda Matabwa as RA board chairperson. Matabwa is also secretary general of the Malawi Assemblies of God, the church President Lazarus Chakwera led before quitting the pulpit in 2013 to join frontline politics.
Hara said looking at Matabwa’s appointment along religious affiliation lines was tantamount to stooping so low because “what matters is the capacity of appointees”.
He said: “When did people begin to look at religious affiliation in public appointments? What does religion have to do with the competence of an individual? I discuss competence of people and ability to perform and I will never stoop so low to talk about religion.
“When I was appointed minister, the same question came up. I don’t care where people come from and which church they belong to as long as they are competent.”
In a communication dated May 29 2023, Matabwa was appointed alongside Frank Honde, Giliani Kachikondo, Chisomo Tsanko Nyemba, Alex Chambukira, Engineer Ignacio Ngoma, the Reverend Fanuel Magangani and Chifundo Malemia.
Matabwa, who holds a doctorate degree in strategic management from Ligs University in Hawaii, United States of America, has replaced Engineer Joe Ching’ani whose board Hara dissolved on April 25 2022 following an inquiry report into its conduct.
The report unearthed numerous shortcomings in the way the board discharged its duties and obligations.
In an interview yesterday, Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences associate professor of economics Betchani Tchereni said he does not want to read too much into the composition of the board because what matters is having a proper blend of skills that would add value to the running of the institution.
He further said it was an anomaly that the authority has operated without a board for a year.
Hara said the appointment of the new RA CEO is one of the priorities of the new board.
In November last year, Parliament amended and passed Bill 38 of 2022 Roads Authority (Amendment) which has redefined composition of members of RA board.
Under the new law, the RA board will be managed and controlled by members who will include a chartered accountant registered under Public Accountants and Auditors Act, a legal practitioner, a procurement specialist, a professional engineer, a contractor and two members of public of high integrity.
