By Malumbo Ngwira
The board of National Oil Company of Malawi NOCMA has resolved to retain Helen Buluma as Acting Chief Executive Officer.
This is in response to the Ombudsman’s determination on an inquiry in the matter of allegations of unprocedural and irregular recruitment and also abuse of office by Buluma.
Ombudsman Grace Malera directed the board to forfeit payment of any terminal benefits including gratuity to Buluma adding that her contract should be treated void as it was found to be irregular, unprocedural and issued through unlawful recruitment.
But in a letter signed by Collen Zamba Secretary to the President and Cabinet who heads the board directed to the Ombudsman states that in accordance with the law, directors of NOCMA have made some recommendations which include retaining Buluma on her four months contract which runs from 1st September to December 22.
They have also made recommendation to pay Buluma all her terminal benefits including gratuity in relation to her three year employment contract which ended on the 25 August 2022 on basis that she rendered full service to the company on the said contract for a continuous period of three year.
The letter concludes by reading “We hereby submit this report in the spirit of ensuring that we promote the rule of law and principles of fairness an recognise section 43(a) of the constitution”.
