Blantyre City Council Mayor Isaac Jomo Osman has lamented laxity among public servants demonstrated through lack of punctuality and dedication, saying this is compromising service delivery. The mayor took the council’s employees unawares when he stood at the main gate to Blantyre Civic Centre at 7.30am and stopped those who showed up late from getting into the premises. He threatened to send them back home, but later allowed them in.
In an interview later, he said his action was meant to address lack of punctuality which he described as a common problem in public institutions. He said the council provides essential services to residents who expect to be served early to have time to attend to other business. “When workers report late or knock off early, service provision is disrupted and this affects council’s performance while frustrating service seekers,” said Osman.
The mayor’s action earned him praise on Nation Publications Limited and Isaac Jomo Osman Facebook pages with a majority of commentators hailing him for pushing employees to work. In his comment, Soko Mwanakhu Martin said: “Way to go Mayor Jomo and if all government agencies and departments followed suit things would start moving in Malawi.” But Grant Ramos Kafwafwa urged Osman to consider challenges the workers face when commuting, including long distances and frequent traffic stops. Osman’s move comes a week after Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Ben Phiri also decried late reporting for work, lack of seriousness and mismanagement of public funds in councils, stating that they were crippling service delivery.
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During a visit to Mchinji District Council, the minister warned that employees who continue engaging in such behaviour risk dismissal. Meanwhile, governance experts Willy Kambwandira and Winston Khamula have commended Osman for the move, saying it reinforces accountability in public service and demonstrates a clear commitment to respecting the time, needs and trust of residents. Osman was elected mayor in November last year and also serves as president of the Malawi Local Government Association.
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