Mutharika State of National Address Not Explicit Says PAC

Rev Dr. Felix Chingota

Public Affairs Committee (PAC) says President Peter Mutharika's State of National Address was not explicit to inform Malawians of critical developments taking place in the country.

President Mutharika delivered a long speech in Parliament as he opened the 2015/2016 Budget Session. Mutharika talked a number of issues taking place in the country from almost every government department and ministry. He also said his administration has already began delivering campaign promises.

But, Rev. Dr. Felix Chingota Chairperson for PAC said the speech lacked focus hence his speech style of covering everything. He said this has therefore left people in suspense as his lengthy speech failed to articulate in detailed form on each point he made.

“There was kind of a uniform way of presentation, he would pick up a ministry looking at what has been achieved so far and then looking what they are planning to do and was picking every government department and ministry.”

“Simply from a formalistic point of view in terms of looking backward and looking forward I think it was oky.” said Chingota, then daid “However, one would have thought that picking up critical areas would have been better, it was a long speech but in certain areas one would ask if that was worth reporting."

"So picking only very critical issues would be very important and dwell on them, elaborate more rather than speak on each and every item and therefore not speak in detail of those issues.” 

The Public Affairs Committee chairperson also noted that although Mutharika mentioned number of issues including xenophobia and floods but failed also to talk of sale of Malawi Savings Bank issue which is topical now and was not explicit on user fees in public hospitals.

The PAC chair however said, commended President his elaborative explanation on the issue of Devolution and Empowering Local Authorities.

"Since it was mentioned we are very happy because it is an issue that we have been advocating for. There should be devolution in terms of activities and that the local authorities should be given a lot of power so that they can manage affairs. This will also ensure that development should be closer to the people."

Chingota however, mentioned that "So it has been mentioned I just hope that it will not be a matter of rhetoric but also it will be implemented”

He also encouraged members of parliament to be thorough when making scrutiny to each and every item they are presented in the national assembly warning that "Otherwise we may spend money on not so much important issues”