President Lazarus Chakwera says Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) board needs to change immediately for wasteful spending of public funds.

Speaking during the launch of the phase 2 of National fiber backbone project in Lilongwe on Friday, Chakwera blamed Macra board chairperson for abuse of resources.

“That the Board Chair of MACRA could not find a more cost-effective way of enhancing the capacity of board members than taking them to Dubai and blowing millions is a clear sign that the leadership of MACRA Board needs to change immediately,” he said.

Chakwera said his administration will not tolerate any abuse of resources by boards of parastatals.

“If any parastatal board that I appointed thinks that their position is a license to wanton wastefulness they better think again. I expect Board chairs to be watchdogs,” he said.

Chakwera also stressed the need for efficient use of resources from development partners rather than self-enrichment.

“We need to look around us and see the poverty and suffering of our people so that we can their needs above our own spending appetites,” he said.

The public was appalled two weeks ago with reports that MACRA board blew over K46 million for a two-week capacity building session in Dubai.