Trouble is brewing for conglomerate Press Corporation plc board members over a
case in which the company has been ordered to compensate its three former top
executives for unlawful termination of employment.

Some minority shareholders of the conglomerate want some board members
removed after the Industrial Relations Court (IRC) on Tuesday ordered PCL to
compensate former Group Chief Executive Offer George Partridge, former Group
Financial Controller Elizabeth Mafeni and former Group Administrative Executive and
General Counsel Bernard Ndau for unlawful termination of employment.

One of the Minority Shareholders Association of Malawi (MSHAM) Dr Mukadam who
also attended the ruling of the matter in Blantyre expressed shock at the decisions
that were taken by the PCL board which failed to explain why the three were fired
under the disquise of retrenchment following a functional review.

“We expect the directors will give us a plausible explanation on why they made a
harp hazard decision to fire the three. It is sad that they even failed to produce
evidence of a board meeting where this decision was made let alone a report on the
functional review which they themselves instituted.”

“Now we are going to pay these people a lot of millions if not billions of kwachas for
the reckless decisions of a few board members and we are the ones who are going
to pay this money which is unfair. I think its high time these directors should be
made liable to personally pay for things like these” said Mukadam.

Another shareholder said they will be calling for an extra-ordinary AGM where they
are going to propose for the removal of some board members including Chairman of
the Board Randson Mwadiwa.

“This is a big scandal and we need to remove these people so that companies
should appreciate rules of good governance, it should not just be sweet talk, we
should be walking the talk” he said.

Delivering his judgment, IRC Deputy Chairperson, Tamanda Nyimba observed that as
a leading and oldest conglomerate, the manner in which PCL terminated the services
of the three did not reflect the high prestige with which people hold the institution as
regards the observance of corporate governance principles.

He ordered that the three should be compensated. The three are yet to submit a
petition of their compensation package as ordered by the court but insiders believe it
will be millions if not billions of kwachas.

The IRC is yet to set a date when it will determine the compensation for the three
former executives.

The Malawi government has embarked on an ambitious journey to revolutionise the country’s socioeconomic development through infrastructure projects with an aim to bolster growth, enhance connectivity and improve quality of life for its nationals.

From the development of highways ,airports, waterways and railway lines, these systems are of critical important to folster inclusive and sustainable development across the nation. The country has so far witnessed tangible milestones in the sector under Chakwera led government.

Several analysts including long time human rights defender, Undule Mwakasungula has defended Chakwera and his government for spending big on infrastructure.

According to Mwakasungula, infrastructure is an important determinant of economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction.

“Effective and efficient transport systems spread economic opportunities widely, thus making economic growth more inclusive.

“Roads by any standards are the ‘pulmonary veins’ through which the bloodline of economy flows, therefore, the country has to be proud of the administration agenda in its pursuit to achieve sustainable development,” Undule said in a radio interview.

In his opinion Undule says since roads drive the country forward, it likely that Chakwera bid for reelection will be secured through his stable vision in the infrastructure development.

Also commenting on the same is another economic analyst, Ceaser Kondowe says apart from the hub multiplier of economic growth and job creation, good roads help to integrate the country into regional supply chains and have an effect on import and export of goods and services.

For example roads that have been constructed in Lilongwe, there are not there to decorate the city but also transform business activities. This means a road that is not narrow, dilapidated, unsafe and riddled with potholes, but rather a modern highway that is well constructed for faster transportation and logistics,” he said.

But Kondowe has asked government to rectify the fuel issue soonest as it has negative effects on the economy and trade.

Since he took over the mantle of leadership, Chakwera has constructed several roads in country and others are still under progress. Top on the list is the six- lane in Lilongwe, M1 road from Lilongwe to Chiweta, Lakeshore road, Gwanda Chakwamba highway,Mangochi – Makanjira road among others.

National Bank of Malawi (NBM) Plc has given K3 million to the Institute of Marketers in Malawi (IMM) for their Annual Conference.

Presenting the cheque at NBM Towers on Tuesday, Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager Akossa Hiwa described the partnership with IMM as a reflection of the ‘Bank of the Nations’ commitment to the development of marketing as a key driver of business success.

“The IMM Annual Conference provides an unparalleled opportunity for us to engage with marketers and industry professionals, exchange knowledge, and showcase how NBM’s innovative products and services can support businesses in achieving their goals.”

“Through this sponsorship, we also recognize the value of marketing excellence, as highlighted by the Marketing Excellence Awards that will take place during the conference. We believe that celebrating and rewarding outstanding marketing initiatives inspires creativity and innovation in the sector,” said Hiwa.

In his remarks, IMM Vice President George Damson thanked NBM plc for the sponsorship.

“We are very grateful to National Bank for the sponsorship which will go a long way to make sure we host a successful event. As you know, we are currently operating in very troubling economic times and it’s not easy to get these kinds of partners on board,” said Damson.

The Annual Conference will be held in Mangochi from October 31 to November 2 under the theme ‘Innovate to Elevate: Leveraging Technology for Marketing Success’.

Traditional leaders have hailed president Chakwera for the Construction works for Neno tarmac road set to start soon, with scheduled completion set in 18 months time.

Neno District Council officials have also hailed commencement of the road works that are set at K35.7 billion saying it will improve mobility of people and trade activities of people in the district.

Neno District Disaster Risk Management Officer, Brighton Mphinga expressed the councils gratitude at Ligowe Village Traditional Authority Mlauli in Neno at a ceremony marking commencement of upgrading of 20 Kilometers of the road from Ligowe Village up to Neno Stadium.

The 20 kilometers road is being constructed by CR-20, a construction firm who took over after government terminated China Geos contract.

Mphinga, who represented Neno District Commissioner at the ceremony, said the Council was looking forward to successful road upgrading, saying the commencement was a move in the right direction towards socio-economic development.

“In almost 50 years, Neno has been without a tarmac road. We are happy that a contractor has come to construct the road,” said Mphinga.

Patricia Kwada who represented Senior Chief Mlauli, said the road project will help improve economic activities specifically highlighting the improved mobility of people and goods

“Commodities in Neno are more expensive to that end. This means commodities will be affordable once the road is completed.

CR-20, Construction Manager, Towa Mzumala, assured the people of Neno that the company will construct a high quality road, disclosing that the road will be wide enough with extra space for motorcycles and pedestrians.