By Deogratias Mmana: Vice President Michael Usi Friday took oath of office with a warning to civil servants: ‘Don’t frustrate me’. “I will perform my duties for the good of Malawians. I will perform my duties in extension of President Chakwera’s work.
I would not want anybody working in the civil service to frustrate me,” Usi said. He made the remarks at a swearing-in ceremony at Parliament in Lilongwe yesterday, a day after President Lazarus Chakwera appointed him in that capacity. Usi cautioned public officers and cabinet ministers to avoid gossiping and misunderstanding him to be trying to outshine the President when he performs his work with sincerity and honesty.
Usi, who is vice president for UTM, a major partner in the Tonse Alliance, has ascended to the state office following the death of Saulos Chilima and eight other citizens in a plane crash on June 10, 2024. In his statement, Usi thanked Chakwera and Malawians for entrusting him with the new role. “Friday, it pleased Your Excellency to exercise your constitutional powers in appointing me to serve as your Vice President over this beautiful Republic and with fear and trembling, I accepted the appointment and as I have taken the oath of office as Vice President of Malawi, I am filled with gratitude,” he said.
He also expressed his gratitude to the late Chilima for entrusting him with the position of vice president of the UTM and for believing in him that he could make a good Vice President as he chose.
