Britain wants Malawi to deliver on reform agenda
British High Commissioner Michael Nevin has said the Public Sector Reforms Programme being championed by government are a step in the right direction but he was quick to add that implementation is key.
Speaking during the celebration of Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday in Lilongwe on Monday evening, Nevin said there is need for a “reform movement that can be seen and felt not just hear about, the one that is concerned with the outcome not just the process”.
He added: “Unless there is a radical overhaul of thinking and delivery, we will remain dealing with overwhelming symptoms and not their causes, focusing on emergency care rather than promoting long-term health, wellbeing and economic transformation.”
The British envoy said reformists should ensure Malawi is ready for “the game changing advantages” of the Nacala Corridor; overcoming bureaucratic inertia and vested interests.
“It is worrying that the [Nacala Corridor] railway is finished, but Malawi does not have anything yet to take advantage of it,” pointed out Nevin.
Nevin observed that government’s steps to embark on the reform process are not new.
He said: “Through joined-up, focused action, Malawi could progress up anti-corruption and fraud league tables and yet the updated anti-money laundering legislation still languishes in the system.”
Nevin continued: “We want this government to succeed with their reform agenda, but delivery is the name of the game. Success will be measured in plans, which translates into impact. It means a vision and plan that fosters initiative and responsibility, weaning people of dependency and entitlement.”
The British High Commissioner said the reform movement “does not talk about irrigation schemes but implements them, along with broader agricultural reform so that Malawians do not go hungry year– on year.”
Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe, who was the guest of honour at the function, said government is engaging different people in the country to make the reforms a success in which case there is also a requirement for change of attitude towards governance on the part of Malawians.
“We might be seen to be slow with the reform process but we are committed as government but the hiccups are as a result of capacity and inadequate resources. I promise you that we will deliver,” he said.
Upon assuming power through victory in the May 20 2014 Tripartite Elections, President Peter Mutharika embarked on a Public Service Reforms Programme chaired by Vice-President Saulos Chilima to improve service delivery and productivity in the public sector, among other goals.
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It is time some of these so-called untouchable countries stopped bossing us every time they want to comment on our domestic issues. They pretend they have all the solutions to our problems. Unfortunately, they have successfully planted the same attitude in some of our citizens who now believe there can never be a better Malawi without Britain- wrong, very wrong !!! While we cannot rule out assistance from other countries, it must be said that there is no country on earth that can entirely be an island, complete in itself. We need each other. Even the so-called rich countries need… Read more »
Micheal Nevin should stop words like Weaning Malawian people from dependency and entitlement. He forgets the British depency syndrome on handouts they call benefits.Malawian people are hardworking who do not get any benefit from the govt like the lazy bum Britons.Donor money is put into politicians pockets.He should be referring to Mutharika,Saulos and their Lomwe cronies.Britons do not feed us.We pay our own bills,we pay our kids fees with our own money.So these mzungus should stop using those demeaning words like we all depend on their handouts.Micheal Nevin should simply shut up if he has nothing to say to Malawians.Britain… Read more »
Rerforms what we want 92 back for aid resumption
whites came to mw in 1800 but even their culture is still alien to most malawians, so this radical overhaul mindset is a beutiful joke. leave us like this we are happy having politicians feed on our taxes
Azunguwa atikwana. Ofunika kuwakumbutsa kuti tinasiya kudya kwawo!
My prayer
Nevin your observation has been noted but talking to peter mutharika the captain of the thieving dpp team is a total waste of time. He is rude and has a stinking ego. The only Malawians he cares about are his lomwe ministers he appointed and it’s my pray that their votes will be enough for him to win the next elections.
I see most of the commenters shooting the messenger her, as usual. ‘Whites don’t tell us what to do!’ ‘Colonialists’ Where are the local ‘activists’ and so-called ‘journalists’ questioning the much-touted benefits of the Nacala corridor? Millions were spent on this project, concessions were given to foreign companies by your local politicians. It was hailed as a way to reduce transport costs into Malawi. Import prices would be reduced. Prices for the many basic goods we import into this country would be reduce. The local man and his family would be better off. Did this materialise? Absolute stone- dead silence… Read more »
BRITAIN IS A BAD & UNCARING DONOR WHO TALK TOO MUCH BUT DOES NOTHING. I THINK COLONAL SPIRIT THEY DON’T WANT TO LET GO. PLEASE KEEP THE ADVICE TO YOURSEF BECOZ IT WILL NOT HELP US IN ANY WAY.
Ah yes, the Nacala corridor.
The project worth hundreds of million, that was championed by the government as cutting transport costs into Malawi.
Millions spent, thousands of Malawians cleared off their land.
Any update from the government?
Have transport costs fallen? Has government invested in new rail freight carriages and depots to take advantage of this new railway?
Have they sped up clearing of freight at borders?
Nothing but stone silence from the government.
Spend the millions, kick out the Malawians.
No change or improvement in the country.
Time goes on..