…OPC, Statutory Corporations not amused
…he controls it- MACRA staff
In another first in corporate governance, the politically powerful Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) Director General Daud Sulieman has asked the Government to re-appoint the board that employed him, as it has unfinished business at the authority.
The letter has irked senior Government officials in the Office of the President and Cabinet and the Department of Statutory Corporations, that the confidential letter has found its way into social media, with sarcastic comments being forwarded with it.
The capacity of MACRA Director General has been under the spotlight including his decision-making and management skills after he fumbled with Multichoice Malawi licensing, bought a vehicle higher than the approved price, and is said to be involved in the wastage of funds in renting new premises after the authority spent over K3 billion to buy a new property in Blantyre.
The letter will raise more questions if he understands corporate governance, or if he is merely doing political posturing to show who is in charge at MACRA and that he will go as far as appointing the Board of his choice.
“He is President Lazarus Chakwera’s blue-eyed boy. He will get his Board to be one or two changes to pretend someone has authority. Suleiman must have run it by the President or the SPC before putting it in writing. Forget about any wholesale changes at MACRA, he gets what he wants,” said an ally of Daud in the Malawi Congress Party.
MACRA staff claim that Sulieman wants the Board that he has been controlling and “bribing” with foreign trips and numerous meetings, so he can continue his reign at the authority.
Suleiman in a letter dated 19th September 2023 titled RE: MOTIVATION FOR BOARD APPOINTMENTS addressed to Comptroller of Statutory Corporations, says he was submitting the names for consideration.
“Allow me to make the following nominations for consideration; Dr. Stanely Khaila, Isaac Songwe, Malla Kawale, Stella Chuthi, Father Henry Sindi, and Alekeni Wodala Menyani,” says Suileman becoming the first Chief Executive Officer to nominate his own board in a parastatal history.
He cited the performance of the Authority including revenue and compliance, review of policy and legal frameworks, investment in the capacity of the board members, and continuity as some of the reasons he wanted the Board to return.
The public will be watching with keen interest this new way of operating public agencies being advanced by MCP operatives.
