Though these measures might not make instant meaningful difference,the president has sent a strong message of willingness to do something about the current economic situation.However success of these measures will depend on the strength and capability of the Secretary to President and Cabinet(SPC)
By Malawi Exclusive
Former Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe has thrown his weight behind President Dr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera’s newly unveiled 15 point economic recovery plan.
On Tuesday night at a media briefing he addressed in Lilongwe, Chakwera unveiled a 15 point economy recovery plan aimed at cushioning the country’s economy.
Among other things, Chakwera announced a restriction on international trips to a maximum of three for all senior government officials including himself.
Chakwera also announced a cut on monthly fuel allocation to cabinet ministers with 20% as well as restricting movement of government pool vehicles to 6pm.
This according to Chakwera will ensure that government saves alot of money which is lost through unnecessary expenditures.
And reacting to the recovery plan, Gondwe who is also Northern Region vice president for the former rulling Democratic Progressive Party-DPP said he welcomes the austerity measures as outlined by Dr Chakwera saying they are timely.
In an interview with one of Malawi’s premier daily newspaper ‘The Nation’, Gondwe said the announced measures offer hope to Malawians.
‘Though these measures might not make instant meaningful difference,the president has sent a strong message of willingness to do something about the current economic situation.However success of these measures will depend on the strength and capability of the Secretary to President and Cabinet(SPC), Gondwe said.
According to Gondwe the SPC must swiftly move in to address lack of discipline in the civil service if the civil service is to operate effectively.
Interestingly Gondwe’s remarks are coming barely days after he alongside other senior DPP officials took turns to to punch holes in what they described as poor economic management by the Tonse Adminstration.
On Wednesday evening the DPP also released a statement in which they described president Chakwera’s tuesday night address as empty.
During the Tuesday night briefing Dr Chakwera also announced that he has replaced the Secretary to President and Cabinet by removing Zangazanga Chikhosi and replacing him with Ms Colleen Zamba who until her appointment was head of the Presidential Delivery Unit Lab.