Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Times News
Published on 2024-03-18 06:59:20
The Tobacco Commission (TC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Joseph Chidanti Malunga, finds himself in a unique position as his contract has expired but he will continue to receive full pay for the next three months. This is because the government decided to extend his contract for three months due to the absence of a board of directors at the time of the contract expiration. Chidanti Malunga’s contract officially expired on February 1 of this year, but without a board in place, there was no mechanism to handle the issue of contract renewal or CEO replacement.
Typically, the board of directors is responsible for hiring or extending the contract of a CEO. However, since there was no board in place, the government took the decision to extend Chidanti Malunga’s contract until April of this year. Despite this extension, Chidanti Malunga has been put on leave with full pay to allow for the recruitment process of a new CEO to take place. Recently, President Lazarus Chakwera appointed members to the TC board, signaling progress in the governance of the commission.
TC Board Chairperson Godfrey Chapola confirmed the extension of Chidanti Malunga’s contract and stated that the position of CEO would be advertised to ensure transparency and accountability in the recruitment process. Anyone, including Chidanti Malunga, would be free to apply for the position. However, when reached for comment, Chidanti Malunga declined to confirm or deny the news, redirecting inquiries to Chapola for further details.
Transparency and accountability expert Willy Kambwandira highlighted the importance of promptly appointing board members to avoid delays and cost implications. He emphasized that any delay in appointing board members by the President can have significant effects on the operations of parastatals. Human Rights Defenders Coalition Chairperson Gift Trapence echoed these concerns, emphasizing that oversight decisions often require the presence of a functioning board.
Chakwera has faced criticism for delays in appointing board members, with instances like the Roads Authority operating for over a year without a board after the previous one was dismissed for alleged incompetence. The importance of having a competent and functional board in place to oversee the operations and decision-making processes of government agencies and parastatals cannot be understated.
In conclusion, the situation surrounding Joseph Chidanti Malunga’s extended contract highlights the significance of having a board of directors in place to ensure proper governance and decision-making processes within government institutions. Prompt appointments of board members are essential to avoid delays, ensure transparency, and uphold accountability in the management of public entities.
Read the original article on The Times
