The Public Appointments Committee of Parliament (Pac) has given a nod to Assets Director Christopher Tukula and his deputy Michael Chiusiwa to continue working for the Office of Director of Public Officers’ Declarations.
The renewal of the contracts comes after the expiry of terms of office of the two.
Tukula and Chiusiwa appeared before the committee yesterday to hear Parliament’s verdict after applying for renewal of their contracts.
“I am pleased to inform you that the committee resolved to renew your contracts and I say congratulations. At this point, you may get into contact with the Clerk of Parliament for you to sign a new contract,” said Chairperson of the committee, Lingson Belekanyama.
In an interview later, Belekanyama said the committee is impressed with the performance of the two and they thought changing directors would not be necessary.
“We thought of extending their contracts and, as you know, that institution has just started so we thought that if we are, to change directors on this one, the new personnel will find it difficult. So for an additional term, we feel that the office will be established,” he said.
Tukula said he attributes the success to the accessibility of his office.
“Our Directorate was the first to grant access to the declaration of the President. It was an easy decision. Now people are able to debate declarations of the President because we gave access within the legal mandate.
“No one saw declarations of [former president] Bakili Muluzi. [Another former president] Bingu wa Mutharika declared but no one saw them.
Joyce Banda [another former president] also declared her assets but no one saw them. They were just submitted to the office of the Speaker and there was no legal framework for accessibility of assets,” he said.
Chiusiwa said he is grateful for the renewal. Their contract is effective August.
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