By Suleman Chitera
Former President Arthur Peter Mutharika (APM) has announced a bold directive to relocate government offices that were moved from Blantyre to Lilongwe during the previous administration, starting with the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA).
The decision, hailed by many as a move toward fiscal discipline and accountability, comes after revelations that MACRA has been paying millions in rent for office space in Lilongwe — despite owning a fully equipped headquarters in Blantyre.
Background: Costly Office Relocations Under Chakwera
During President Lazarus Chakwera’s administration, several government institutions were moved from Blantyre and Zomba to Lilongwe. The move was widely criticized by economic observers and the public, who argued that it was unnecessary and burdened taxpayers with additional costs for office rentals, furniture, and logistics.
Sources within MACRA confirm that the relocation to Lilongwe was never justified by operational needs but was rather a politically motivated decision. The regulator’s main building in Blantyre — a modern facility built with taxpayers’ money — has remained underutilized for years.
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APM’s Directive: “Cut Waste, Restore Order”
Upon reassuming leadership, President Mutharika has ordered all government departments and agencies that were moved unnecessarily to return to their original offices within three days.
“The goal is to restore efficiency and stop the culture of reckless spending,” said a senior government source. “President Mutharika wants government operations to be cost-effective, professional, and decentralized — not wasteful.”
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Economic Implications
The move is expected to save the government millions of kwacha annually in rental fees and logistical costs. Economists believe this step marks the beginning of a broader economic recovery plan that focuses on reducing public expenditure and stimulating productivity.
Political analyst George Phiri notes that APM’s decision could help restore confidence in public institutions. “This is what Malawians have been waiting for — practical steps to fix a broken system and put resources where they truly matter,” he said.
Public Reactions
Across social media, Malawians have expressed strong support for the directive. Many are using hashtags like #APMIsBack and #FixTheEconomy to celebrate the move, describing it as a turning point in governance and accountability.
“Chakwera moved offices just to waste money. Now APM is back to clean up the mess,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter).
Conclusion
The return of MACRA offices to Blantyre symbolizes more than a simple relocation — it represents a renewed commitment to economic reform, accountability, and decentralization. As APM’s administration works to fix Malawi’s broken economy, many citizens are hopeful that this is the beginning of a new era of responsible leadership.
