By Mercy Makuwira
Blantyre, December 10, Mana: Malawi Posts Corporation (MPC) has asked government for financial intervention in its drive to reinvent and remain relevant on the market.
The appeal was made on Thursday in Blantyre made during an interface meeting between Minister of Information, Gospel Kazako, and board of directors for statutory corporations that are under the Ministry.
Responding to the appeal from MPC board members Kazako said there was need for further talks between MPC and government where the corporation will have to give an account of how it used funds previously made available and how they will use the funds they were requesting for.
“There is need for corporations to run as businesses where they make money for government and not run to government each and every time for bail out. So, let us sit down further and talk, if there is need for downsizing operations let us see how this can be done, let us see what will be needed or not and decide on what to do,” said Kazako.
He, therefore, added that time had come for statutory corporations to reclaim the glory they had when they were being instituted.
“Most of the corporations under my ministry do not have a good reputation out there. If you talk of MACRA it is well known for abuse of funds, nepotism you name it,” he said.
Kazako said with the Tonse administration board members for statutory corporations are expected to work extra hard to ensure the alliance’s agenda is implemented at all levels.
He expressed concern in the past statutory corporations have been used as a means of siphoning funds for personal use.
However, Kazako said the situation not be tolerated with the Tonse government.
Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) Director General, Henry Shamu, said problems being experienced at MPC dates way back saying the corporation has been neglected for a long time even though the telecommunication industry has been changing.
“Out of 180 post offices in the country only 10 make profits. However, there are people who have to be paid against the social function that post office have. The question has always been, should post offices that are not making money be closed against how operations are going to be maintained,” said Shamu.