National Oil Company of Malawi (Nocma) Board has bowed to pressure and rescinded the decision to engage Deputy Chief Executive Officer Helen Buluma as acting chief executive officer (CEO).
Early this month, President Lazarus Chakwera gave the board two weeks to look into public concerns surrounding the appointment of Buluma.
Before the President made his thoughts clear on the matter, disgruntled staff members called for the removal of Buluma by November 30.
State House Press Secretary Brian Banda has confirmed that Buluma is no longer acting CEO for Nocma after the board communicated to Chakwera about the decision.
“What I can say is that the President was communicated to after the board met and decided to revert Buluma to her position as deputy Chief Executive Officer of Nocma. But I cannot comment much since I am not in a position to talk about Nocma itself,’’ Banda said.
In her response, Buluma said she was only appointed to act on the position of CEO for 14 days which elapsed in October.
“I reverted back to my position after acting for only 14 days while the board was looking at some issues. It did not mean I would be acting forever. That is why, as I am speaking, there is no official letter on this issue because they already know I automatically reverted to my position at the elapsing of the agreed 14 days,” Buluma said.
Early this month Nocma board suspended CEO Gift Dulla and director of finance Richard Milanzie to pave the way for investigations of mis-procurement and financial mismanagement and the board appointed Buluma in acting capacity.
However, this action did not please some quarters within and outside the company, who accused Buluma of being a Democratic Progressive Party operative.