Queries have emerged about the reconstitution of the National Planning Commission (NPC) board before expiry of its tenure and inclusion of public universities’ staff in own councils in the new parasatatal boards hired on Tuesday.
Scrutiny of the new boards for 66 statutory corporations that the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) announced on Tuesday night has also shown that some individuals are heading more than one board.
The list also includes Malawi Railways Limited, a company that was privatised in the early 2000s, but Attorney General Frank Mbeta in an interview last evening said this is not an anomaly as the entity collects concession fees from private players.
In an interview last evening, Attorney General Frank Mbeta clarified that Malawi Railways Limited has always been there which he said is “a special purpose vehicle”
He said despite Central East African Railways (Cear) being the main rail operator, there are still some government asserts that are under the Malawi Railways Limited.
“That is still a government company and Cear posts their concession fees to Malawi Railways Limited,” said Mbeta.
However, he asked for more time to comment on the NPC matter, saying he needed to get the details..
In the statement signed by Chief Secretary to the Government Justin Saidi, the NPC has a new board chaired by business mogul and philanthropist Thom Mpinganjira.
Saidi said in the statement: “The government expresses confidence that the newly appointed boards of directors will offer sound strategic guidance and robust oversight.
“This will enable the respective statutory corporations to fulfil their mandates effectively and improve the delivery of public services in the interest of the nation.”
government company.
| Nation
If the NPC Act of 2017 is anything to go by, the five-year tenure of the NPC board appointed in November 2023 is still intact.
According to communication from Clerk of Parliament Fiona Kalemba dated November 13 2023, the Public Appointments Committee of Parliament confirmed Professor Richard Mkandawire as chairperson with Phillip Madinga, Mercy Masoo, Natasha Nsamala and Betty Chinyamunyamu as commissioners.
Mbeta said he needed to consult on the status of the NPC commissioners appointed in 2023.
In terms of dual membership, FDH Bank plc managing director Noel Mkulichi is chairperson of two parastatal boards, notably Roads Fund Administration and Malawi University of Science and Technology (Must) while private practice lawyer Luciano Meckeus is among those in two boards, namely Malawi Posts Corporation and Malawi College of Health Sciences.
The councils of Mzuzu University (Mzuni), Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (Mubas) and Must also have staff other than the vice-chancellors.
For instance, Mzuni Vice-Chancellor Professor Wales Singini will be on the university’s council alongside senior lecturer Precious Madula while at Must, Bingu School of Culture and Heritage executive dean Atikonda Mtenje-Mkochi is included in the council.
In an interview yesterday, corporate governance expert Jimmy Lipunga said generally the appointees seem to be suitable and competent people as they have the capability to perform their duties.
However, on individuals appearing on more than one board and the inclusion of university staff in their own institutions’ councils, he said there could be reasons known to the appointing authority.
“There must be good reasons why the appointing authority has done that,” said the former Public-Private Partnership Commission chief executive officer.
Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency executive director Willy Kambwandila delivered a far more critical assessment, arguing that the appointments represent a setback for public sector reforms.
Both Saidi and his deputy Stuart Ligomeka as well as Minister of Information and Communications Technology Shadric Namalomba were not available for comment as their phones went unanswered on several attempts.
