Two Men Injured In Disastrous Accident In Zomba

Young driver and a bicycle taxi operator are battling for their lives at Zomba Central Hospital after being involved in a terrible car accident that took place at Zomba City boundary just before Chikupira river from Naisi to Chinamwali trading centre on Saturday between 5 and 6 pm.

National Wide Public Works Programme Commence December

Goodall Gondwe

Government to begin a national wide Public Works Programme budgeted at K9 billion by December this year up to May 2016.

Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development disclosed in the National Assembly during his Ministerial speech on the status of the economy that each district will receive a minimum of K200 million and people will work for 20 days at a fee of K600 per day.

He emphasized that the large part of the programme will be devoted to tree planting along the rivers to strengthen Malawi resilience to catastrophes. 

“In order to improve rural incomes and boost demand for domestic products and to provide resources to the rural population to purchase Farm Inputs in readiness for the next rainy season, the Government will establish an expanded Public Works Programme that will be managed by the local councils through the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, MASAF and supported particularly by Ministry of Natural Resources, and Ministry of Transport and Public Works.

“It is felt that this year we could particularly focus on the planting of trees alongside our main rivers. It is planned to spend more than K9 billion on this programme.”

“On the average, resources will be distributed country wide of more than K200 million per district. It will be expected that an individual can be eligible for 20 days work at rate of K600 per day.” He said with plause of Bommaaa! Among Government MP’s

He explained that this year, the programme will have two cycles. The first part will start on 1st December to 31st of March 2015 and second part will kickoff in April to May 2016. 

Earlier the minister said Government will also focus on an expanded production of legumes to help the country diversify agricultural exports and earn the country US$200 million per year. 

“That is together with mineral exports, our exports could double in the medium term” he said “An expanded production of legumes will also enhance rural incomes reduce poverty significantly”

He said the ministry or Industry and Trade has already secured external market for the legumes to be produced.

He said the two are part of non budgetary initiatives that the country is geared to undertake

Short Term Plans, Good Weather Condition To Rebound Economy In A Year-Gondwe

Malawi exprerienced floods

Government says through number of strong measures being pursued and given good weather conditions this year, the country will resume economic stability within a short period of time.

Gondwe: Economy will normalise soon

Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe, made the promise on Wednesday in the National Assembly when delivering a Ministerial Statement on the Economic Status of the country. 

He repeated several times in his speech that the basic origin of the current destabilized macro-economic environment was huge 49% currency devaluation, free float of exchange rate in May 2013 and continued withholding of the budgetary support by donors.

“Within the public sector, withdrawal of budgetary aid in 2013-2015 exacerbated this poor economic situation resulting in excessive government domestic borrowing (of up to K122 billion) and huge payment of arrears (of up to K155 billion). Therefore the public sector is being forced to take stringent budgetary adjustment that involves realigning budgetary expenditures with reduced total budgetary revenues.” He said 

He said this was exacerbated by catastrophic weather conditions early this year when the economy was beginning to normalize and resuming robust economic growth path.

He said the calamity of floods and drought in January 2015, have caused acute shortage of food countrywide and severely damaged tobacco production which is a key export commodity that helps to stabilize the exchange rate.

Gondwe therefore admitted that the country’s Macro-economy is destabilized as evidenced by persistence high inflation rate, high level of interest rates and volatile depreciating exchange rate. He said demand for goods and services is declining steadily, economic activity has slowed down and inconsequence the employment levels and incomes are stagnant and poverty levels are rising.

Gondwe however said Malawi is taking strong adjustment measures as regards the budget and fiscal reforms including measures that will require stringent sacrifices as other countries did in 1990’s.

He said other neighboring countries passed through harder times than Malawi is facing now and there is hope that Malawi will make it through this tough time. However his remark stirred differing views in the House.

He said in the Government short term agenda the goal is to resume economic normality in the coming year or two.

He said to address these problems Malawi has aligned number of initiatives and programmes including implementation of IFM programmes.

“In order to achieve macro stability and to maintain it we will have to confront challenge of diminished budgetary revenues as a result of the loss of the budgetary support. IMF verdict that its programme in Malawi is off-track beckons the need to reduce to take further measures to reduce budgetary expenditures urgently and to exercise caution in the management of resources” said Gondwe while informing the House that Government has began to implement these measures

He also mentioned continued deeper budgetary adjustments, inconsiderable sacrifices from every Malawian including state and private institutions and exercise stringent discipline in the use of resources.

He said government is also enhancing public finance management reforms as an important part of economic policies that could lead Malawi out of its problems by reforming fiscal system to enable heightened fiscal control and reporting. He said the programme is instilling the fiscal discipline so that available resources are used efficiently.

To combat hunger he said Greenbelt administration has been requested to prepare a double cycle of maize production that can produce about 1 and half million tones of maize and beans. He added that large agricultural firms such as Illovo has been asked to produce maize which government can buy in case of weather.  

He said with rigorous implementation of programmes and initiatives will be able to change the economic outlook of the country.

He said however that there is need for Malawi to take strong adjustment measures particularly as regards the budget and fiscal reforms including measures that will require stringent sacrifices as other countries did in 1990’s.

He said other neighboring countries passed through harder times than Malawi is facing now. However his remark stirred differing views especially strong protest from Mangochi Monkey-Bay legislature Ralph Jooma who said it was wrong for the minister to tell people that they will have to go through times that neighboring countries experienced.

What were government expectations if budgetary aid was available and there was no floods and drought?

Minister of Finance said government expected conducive economic environment in 2014-2015 financial year after expecting good harvest of food and cash crops and after creating disciplined fiscal system a condition set by donors to resume budgetary aid.

Gondwe added that despite the expectation of government to restore budgetary support in 2014-2015, Government framed a cautionary budget centered to curtail budgetary expenditures so as to balance diminished revenue levels. He said the budgetary adjustment was to be a forerunner of measures that would continue to be needed to establish budgetary self sufficiency.

He said the focus of the budget was to reduce inflation rate that could then trigger the decline in the level of interest rates brining about the resuscitation of the needed robust resumption of growth and poverty reduction.

“True to the government expectations inflation commenced to decline progressively and reached 18.2% in March 2015 from 37.9% in 2013. Food inflation decelerated from 38.2% to 17% during the same period and non food inflation declined from 42.8% to 17.8%” he said 

He said the January 2015 the catastrophic shock floods (drought conditions brought acute food shortage) reversed macro-economic gains that were beginning to be experienced. “The inflation began to rise again, and policy interest rate was increased to combat heightening inflation pressures and prevent possible loss of foreign reserves.”

He said the exchange rate also began to depreciate steeply and registered a plunge of 23.3% between January and September 2015 but said this rise was one of the lowest in the region in the same period.

Racists Remarks Deleted From Hansard, Speaker Calls For Responsible Language In The House

Msowoya 

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Richard Msowoya said the racism remarks which were uttered by some Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Members of Parliament on Thursday last week have been deleted from the records of the House.

Msowoya was speaking when concluding the racism matter in the House.

“Honorable Members, I just want to bring to the attention of this House that following the remarks that the Leadership of the House has referred to, the matter was brought to my attention the following morning and at that moment I immediately ordered that all racist remarks be deleted from the Hansard. That they should not form part of the record of what had transpired in this House.” Said Msowoya

“I also did comfort the member for the pain he might have felt the previous day.” Added the Speaker

To hon Bisnowaty, the Speaker said; “Honorable member for Lilongwe City Centre, I know as well as you do, there are so many members here who believe in Christianity and Jesus Christ our Lord was a Jew” ended the Speaker

He then asked members of parliament to use words that are acceptable in the House.

“Suffice to say, honorable members that although you are protected and although you are supposed to uphold your human rights, your freedom of speech as enshrined in our laws, I as the chair and on behalf of my fellow speakers I would like to call upon responsible language in this House. 

Am saying this in view of the fact that of late there has been slurs even directed at the chairmanship of the House. There has been slurs that has been directed on the opposite side of the House. And am saying to honorable members that let us exercise responsible language.” Said Msowoya 

“I accept the apology and I will forgive and carryon”- David Bisnowaty

Lilongwe City Centre legislature, David Bisonwaty says has accepted apology from the Leader of Opposition and the Deputy Leader of the House, on the racism remarks made in the National Assembly on Thursday last week by some Malawi Congress Party (MCP) legislatures.

Leader of Opposition and President of Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Lazarus Chakwera and the Deputy Leader of the House, Kondwani Nankhumwa including Peoples Party (PP) offered a word of apology to David Bisnowaty over racism remarks from MCP legislatures.

“Mr Speaker Sir, nevertheless, I believe like most of you, that Malawians are loving and caring people. And like the Leader of Opposition said we have to forgive, forget and carryon, and therefore I accept the apology and I will forgive and carryon” said Bisnowaty

Before accepting the apology, Bisnowaty in his statement made a brief recounts of circumstances which made him become Malawian citizen.

“I want this House to understand also where I come from. I come from a family of who are all called survivors.  

I come from a family where my grandmother was the only survivor of the eleven brothers and sisters during the Nazi, Germany (atrocities). I come from a family where my mother was over a year stayed in a concentration camp, a family that was discriminated for being Jews. And that was their only crime.” Narrates Bisnowaty

He then said “Mr. Speaker Sir, to hear the sentiments in this August House, in this beautiful country where I spent many years of my life, where I gave my own citizenship to become a Malawi citizen I think it is not what I expected from anybody in this respectful House.

This House has to keep integrity, this house has to keep the law.” He said “And yes sometimes people don’t like what other members say in this House. But I believe in democracy and I believe that the member can have a right to say and that right should not be stopped and certainly should not be responded to by the color of that member or religion.

The parliamentarian said he went through the hansard to see what was said on that day and was ready at appropriate time to bring into the House the copies of what was said. He also wondered as to why some legislatures became so angry and outragious on remarks he never spoke ill of the father and founder of this nation Dr. Ngwazi Hastings Kamuzu Banda. Bisnowaty said he does not find any substance why some members reacted that much.

Malawians “expect us to set an example” PP on Racism Remarks

Nyalonje 

People’s Party (PP) has emphasized that National Assembly must set a good example of not discriminating against any person based on race or color.

Chakwera

The party made the remarks on Monday evening in the National Assembly when joining the Leader of Opposition and President of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Lazarus Chakwera in apologizing and condemning the racism remarks uttered on Thursday in the house to Lilongwe City Centre legislature David Bisnowaty.

When adding its voice PP says is committed to observing non-racial approaches to development and non-racial approaches to everything that the house does.

Mzimba North legislature, Honorable Agnes Nyalonje who was speaking on behalf of the Leadership of the party in the House said Malawians expects no race but “they expect us to set an example.

“Indeed every party in this House subscribes to the concept of non-racial development because without racial unity we cannot have development. 

So for those reasons, we in the People’s Party would like very much to support the statement made by the leader of opposition and to condemn in no uncertain terms any expression of racism, any act of racism especially when such an act comes from the House such as this, where every Malawian has the right to expect leadership that cannot be doubted in any way.” Said Nyalonje

Nyalonje also hailed Chakwera for offering “sufficient apology of what was done” on Thursday evening where some Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Legislatures caused disorder in the House by making racism remarks against Honorable David Bisnowaty.

Chakwera Apologize To Bisnowaty Over Racism Remarks From MCP MP’s

Chakwera

Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly and President of the Malawi Congress Party (MCP), Lazarus Chakwera made a statement on Monday evening offering a word of apology and condemn the racism remarks uttered in the house on Thursday last week to Lilongwe City Centre legislature David Bisnowaty.

Chakwera called for unity among members while reminding the House that everyone in the House is a Malawian entrusted with a role by Malawians to be their representative.

He warned his members not to use racism words because such words may cause dangerous repercussions to the country in future.

"In as much as one understands the intervention made by the Hon. Member of Lilongwe City Center, the instantaneous emotive responses from some members of the MCP can also be appreciated, particularly when one feels that a leader's economic policies to meet the needs of those he led are belittled and that leader is dead and cannot respond for himself. Its almost like someone insulting your father in your face and you are expected not to react." Said Chakera

He then condemned utterances that are deemed to demean or denigrate anyone in the chamber regardless of the perceived provocation saying MCP exists to promote development, help consolidate democracy and protect the dignity of every person.

"Our Founding President used to admonish all Malawians to live together in peace and harmony. He would especially single out those whose origin

and culture may be different from typical Malawian to be treated with respect. While many point to human rights abuses during the one party rule as a reason to haul insults on present day MCP, I appeal to all of us to be careful with the language we employ as fights can get started over very trivial matters as human history demonstrates." He said

"As a believer in Jesus Christ and a theologian cum politician, I can state that there is but one human race, regardless of the color of one's skin and/or cultural and religious beliefs. I believe, in forgiveness because I have been forgiven all my sins through the death of Jesus

Christ. I ask all Malawians everywhere and that includes the Hon. Member here to forgive the Malawi Congress Party of all past atrocities. I take responsibility as President of all the sins of my fathers." he said 

Chakwera then called members to focus on finding ways to move the country in the right direction and not waste time outwitting each other as to how best the furniture should be arranged "I personally believe that it is better to be hurt by the truth rather than to find comfort in lies." Added Chakwera

Chakwera needed to apologize because the racism remarks came from members of Parliament from MCP the party which he leads.

On Thursday some MCP legislatures called fellow legislature hon Bisnowaty 'foreigner' when he made a comment in the House on food situation during late Hastings Kamuzu Banda founder and father of Malawi who also was President for MCP.

Nankhumwa

Deputy Leader of the House Hon Kondwani Nankhumwa said the insults were both unfortunate and discriminatory to the choice of people of Lilongwe City Centre Constituency.

Joining him, People’s Party (PP) through Honorable Agnes Nyalonje while praising the Leader of Opposition for offering “sufficient apology of what was done” said PP committed to observe non-racial approaches to development.

Nyalonje condemned in no uncertain terms any act and expression of racism, and called every party in the House to subscribe to the concept of non-racial development because without racial unity Malawi cannot have development. 

Speaker of the National Assembly Richard Maowoya said he ordered deletion of the remarks from the Hansard immediately the matter was brought to his attention.

While bemoan with the recent trend of slurs even directed at the chairmanship of the House Msowoya noted that although members are protected and are supposed to uphold freedom of speech members should make responsible language in the House. 

Accepting the apology David Bisnowaty said never expected from anybody in such a respectful House and in the beautiful country where he has spent many years and where he gave his own citizenship to become a Malawi citizen to make racism sentiments against him.

In an interview, the only cabinet minister who was present in the house when remarks were being said, Grace Chiumia said racism remarks are uncalled for and needs to stop.

She said people settling in the country are contributing immensely to the development of the country through their businesses that are creating job to youths. 

Health Sector Needs Urgent Solutions

Civil Society Organizations, Health Professional Associations and Patients Interest Groups says Government should not hesitate to solve number of problems facing the health sector at the moment.

This was said following the petition delivered to the National Assembly on Friday through Chair person for the Health Committee of Parliament, Juliana Lunguzi.

The Groups says most Health sector services are crippled which are causing leading to the poor quality services to the patients.

Gift Trapence, executive director for Cedep who is one of the nine signatories for the petition said the solutions in the health sector are needed now.

The petitioners observe that Malawi continue to struggle in its quest to provide free health services but gains supposed to accrue to average Malawian continue being eroded due to challenges in drugs and medical supplies availability coupled with inadequate funding for the health sector.

  

They therefore asked the National Assembly to intervene to the current situation and on the adequate National Budget allocation to the health sector.

"We are concerned with the significantly reduced Other Recurrent Transactions (ORT) allocation from K16.5 billion in 2014/2015 national budget to K12. 7 billion in 2015/2016 financial year.

This has affected the capacity of Ministry of Health to meet its obligations of ensuring quality care for all Malawians. District and Central Hospital received lowest allocation in recent years at 4.7% of the total of health sector budget leading to failure to settle water and electricity bills, stoppage of locum services, inadequate food for patients, challenges in referrals and failure to maintain equipment. There are no functional x-ray machines" reads petition

The petition adds: "We are concerned with Government failure to effectively address challenges surrounding drugs such as unavailability of drugs due to limited funding, drug pilferage and leakage, leading to low performance of curative services"

Among recommendations made in the petition includes increased national budget allocation to health of 15% of the total expenditure in order to meet Abuja Declaration to which Malawi is signatory.

It is also requesting Treasury to revise upwards the the ORT allocation to the sector and speedy process in the consultations on health financing including user fees as an option to sustainably finance the health sector. 

Malawi Network of Religious Leaders Living with or Personally Affected by HIV AIDS (MANERERA+), Centre for Development of People (CEDEP), National Organization of Nurses and Midwives of Malawi (NONM), Malawi Health Equity Network (MHEN), Pharmaceutical Society of Malawi, Medical Doctor's Union, Patient and Community Welfare Foundation, Radiographers Association and Paramedics and Allied Health Workers are the signatories to the petition.

Bisnowaty To Write Speaker Over Racist Remarks As PP Brands The Incident Unlawful

Lilongwe City Centre legislature, David Bisnowaty says will write the speaker as soon as possible over the racism remarks uttered by some Malawi Congress Party legislatures from the opposition benches on Thursday evening. 

“First of all it is not the first time. Of course I condemn and I am not going to accept any racist remarks” said Bisnowaty while mentioning that the remarks just show that some people still believe they live in the old days where they can give racism remarks. 

"Of course am not going to keep quiet about it am going to write the speaker and demand that these remarks be retracted and you just can’t accept to live in the society when people are still racist and it was really the racist remarks that we should to stop.” He said 

Bisnowaty was silent when some members were outburst into racism remarks, he said he was silent because “I just don’t believe that you have to go into wars of words and we just have to go and follow procedures” 

Uladi

Meanwhile the Leader of People’s Party (PP) in the National Assembly, Uladi Mussa said “It was not good “Anyone who can contest as a member of parliament is a Malawian” 

He said what was said is against constitution which disallows discrimination 

“I think it is a matter of our leadership of parties to discourage our members that let us support each other, let us respect each other, we are all members of parliament so we have to behave honorably not discriminating each other because of race or origin. This is not proper.” Said Mussa 

He emphasized that countries are developing due to migration an there is no need to discriminate those who made decision to become Malawians. 

The National Assembly debate on national issues was put on hold for a while when some angry opposition members of Parliament failed to hold their temper and began to call the Lilongwe City Central legislature David Bisnowaty ‘ignorant’ of Malawi issues and ‘foreigner’ over remarks relating to late Ngwazi Hastings Kamuzu Banda rule. 

Bisnowaty who stood on point of order told the house that during the 31 year reign of Hastings Kamuzu Banda, Malawians were suppressed and therefore if there was any food shortages people wouldn’t have known about it and any person would have been in trouble once heard talking about existence of hunger. 

But even before Bisnowaty took his seat, some Malawi Congress Party (MCP), legislatures including Dedza North West Alekeni Wodala Menyani were heard shouting point of order while some legislatures especially Mchinji South West Deus Gumba Banda shouted racism remarks. “Khala pansi Iwee! … Ukudziwa chiyani zakuno ku Malawi munthu olowera pa passport ngati iwe!.. Foreigner”

FDH Bank Donates K2 Million To Spouses Of Policemen

Kachama (left) Majamanda (right)

A local bank, FDH Bank has donated K2 million to the wife's of Policemen in the Malawi Police Service.

Through the donation, FDH wants to support the policemen spouses engage in some small scale businesses that can support them and their families.

Majamanda

Head of Corporate Business Banking for FDH Bank, Sitabene Majamanda when making the donation at the Police Head Quarters in Lilongwe, said this year, FDH decided to empower police officers wives so that they can support their families through small scale businesses while as their spouses are providing noble safety and security service to the country.

"When we came in to Malawi Police Service on a business trip, we actually come across this idea that what if we come up with the sustainability what we call Ethics and Sustainability within our corporate social responsibility to create a fund for the spouses of the police men.

We know the great job that the police men do. They are so many of them but we thought about their wives that are sitting at home supporting the men that are out to do the job. So our management was pleased to support this initialize because it is part of women empowerment." Explains Majamanda

"When our police officers are sure that their spouses are generating extra money, they can have peace of mind while carrying out their duties" added Majamanda who thanked the dedicated men in Uniform who are playing a critical role in the development of the country day and night of providing safety and security services that is important for many of Malawian business to be able to do their business in peace.

Kachama

After receiving the money, the wife of Inspector General of Police, Ruth Kachama, chairperson for the Police Officers Wives, said the donation will boost their Welfare Fund established a year ago when State President Peter Mutharika made a donation worth K5 million.

"This is good gesture and will assist us very much and empower the wives of police officers." Said Mrs Kachama

Kachama said some of the businesses that Police wives do include poultry, groceries and other small scale businesses.

The K2 million revolving fund will be fully administered by the Malawi Police Service without the FDH Bank involvement.  However, the bank will continue supporting the women by providing some training through business clinics to help them gain basic skills for running small businesses. The first lot of women have already undergone this training.

The police women will be able to borrow small amounts that they need to do some small scale business. When they borrow the money, it will have a 6 months grace period after which they are expected to repay it without interest. The repaid amounts will allow the other women to also borrow from the revolving fund and also repay interest free after the six months period.

According to the Bank, there is free interest because the donation is coming as cooperate social responsibility and women empowerment. The Bank further maintains that the help was necessary to empower women spouses who in most cases take care of the children so that they contribute to the economic well-being of their husbands by engaging in some activities that can generate some extra revenue for the family while as their husbands are providing safety and security to the nation.

FDH Bank is a Malawian Bank which started operations in 2009 and is part of the FDH Financial Holding Group which has subsidiaries in stockbroking, discount house operations, Money Bureau and recently acquired 80 percent stake in Malawi Savings Bank

Bisnowaty Is A Foreigner! Rants Some Legislatures In National Assembly

The National Assembly debate on national issues was put on hold for a while when some angry opposition members of Parliament failed to hold their temper and began to call the Lilongwe City Central legislature David Bisnowaty ‘ignorant’ of Malawi issues and ‘foreigner’ over remarks relating to late Ngwazi Hastings Kamuzu Banda rule.

Hon Bisnowaty was responding to Lilongwe Rural South legislature Peter Dimba holding the floor. Dimba dispelled allegations that Malawi experienced food shortage and imported maize during Kamuzu era.

Bisnowaty who stood on point of order after Rumphi East Legislature, Kamulepo Kalua had branded the current Government as ‘jokers’, told the house that during the 31 year reign of Hastings Kamuzu Banda, Malawians were suppressed and therefore if there was any food shortages people wouldn’t have known about it and any person would have been in trouble once heard talking about existence of hunger. 

But even before Bisnowaty took his seat, some legislatures allegedly from Malawi Congress Party (MCP), shouted at him to sit down while making racism remarks “Khala pansi Iwee! … Ukudziwa chiyani zakuno ku Malawi munthu olowera pa passport ngati iwe!.. Foreigner”

The Racism tirade in the house went out of hand and the Second Deputy Speaker, Clement Chiwaya’s shouts to restore order seemed to have no value at all as another member was heard shouting “Muyuda azipita kwawoooo uyu!

Another angry outburst from the noise was heard; “Akutiyamba dala uyu, Mzimene anakamuuza a DPP zimenezo? Ala!” one legislature shouted.

Rumphi East legislature Kamulepo Kaua stood without being recognized by the Speaker and said “Let us not discriminate against anybody, let us be Malawian, let us show leadership and I don’t prescribe to this no, no, no, no!”

However, Kalua was interrupted both by the speaker who was trying to calm the legislatures and another member who was continuing making racism remarks “Alibe mudzi uyu, alibe munda, akuchitachani kuno, mbava izipita kwawo iyi, Myuda!”

“Honorable members can we avoid discriminatory words that are not parliamentary…” pleaded Chiwaya but was interrupted by another rant, “Ndizoona Dala, Ndizoona Dala alibe mudzi ku Malawi uyu. Amayi ako anapita kuti iweyo, 

The continued waves of discriminatory words made the Second Deputy Speaker, Clement Chiwaya to be left with no other option but to ask the leadership of both sides in the National Assembly to help restore order.

“We cannot proceed this way, may I ask leadership on both sides to help us to restore order!” pleaded Chiwaya 

 “Much as we want to express whatever we want to express let us do it in an orderly manner and at the same time avoid discriminatory words that are not parliamentary” advised Chiwaya

Immediately after the speaker made the directive, another legislature stood up on point of order making another racism remarks “Ndimafuna kuti timuuze kuti alibe manda a aMbuyake asamachite mwano ameneyu!”

However, after some few minutes, the house was back to normal and the Lilongwe Rural South legislature Peter Dimba, was asked to continue holding the floor commenting on number of issues relating to agriculture, food availability in ADMARC markets and current situation of hunger as well as on distribution of Farm Input Subsidy materials.

Mutharika Travels With Lean Entourage To Malta, UK, Juberg

Mutharika: traveling with few delegation 

Government says a lean delegation will accompany the President on his trip to Malta, United Kingdom and South Africa as the country continue to criticize the president for making outside travels while the country’s economy continues to slip.

Malawians Tired Of Excuses On ATI Enactment-CHRR, Cedep

Gift Trapence

Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre for Development of People (Cedep) says Malawians are tired of Government excuses on taking Access to Information Bill (ATI) to Parliament for enactment.

The two institutions have issued a statement signed by its executive directors Timothy Mtambo (CHRR) and Gift Trapence (Cedep) who says such unwarranted delays are insult to Malawians and are failure on the part of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Government to bringing the bill for enactment.

CHRR and Cedep statement comes a day after Government issued a statement that Cabinet meeting of 17th November 2015 considered the Bill, and directed its Committee on Legal Affairs and Constitutional Affairs to quickly resolve inconsistencies therein.

In the statement, Minister of Information Jappie Mhango said it is the intention of Government to have a good and balanced law that is representative of all sectors of society. 

However, CHRR and Cedpep says Malawians “can no longer entertain further excuses” on sending to Parliament the Access to Information Bill for enactment.

The statement titled ‘A call on government to live the talk’ says when the President indicated in his opening address of 46th Session of Parliament that the bill would be tabled during the current Meeting of National Assembly, Malawians heaved a sigh of relief, given the importance of the piece of legislation in enhancing transparency and accountability in the affairs of the country.

“It is, thus, shocking, to note that the much-awaited bill does not appear anywhere near the Order Paper or on the notices of the new bills for the current sitting. This is unfortunate, to say the least. By promising Malawians what he cannot deliver, as is the case with ATI and other numerous instances—the incumbent is simply taking the citizens’ trust for granted. To this end, we call upon the President and the DPP government to ensure that the ATI bill is passed into law in the current sitting of Parliament. Malawians can no longer entertain further excuses on the Bill” reads the statement 

Said Gift Trapence in an interview; “This bill is very important for the development of the country. The bill will make sure that Malawians are able to access information of different sectors; information of health, on economy, agriculture 

So if government passes that bill it will help a lot in terms of accountability and transparency but as well development issues”

He said Civil Society Organizations are worried that Government is not committed to make sure that that bill is passed considering changes that government has been making in many times as to when they are going to pass the bill.

“So as civil Society Organizations we are worried in terms of behavior of the Government by not showing that commitment that they would want to pass the bill.

We are worried with the behavior of the current regime in terms of not respecting the pillars of the democracy and in those pillars one of them is the Access to Information Bill.” He said

Then the Cedep Executive Director warned that CSO’s are set to use all avenues to make sure that they pressure the Government to pass the ATI bill.

“We will use different strategies as CSO’s that we are going to mobilize, we will use international partners to make sure that this government passes the bill.” He said 

Among others the CHRR and Cedep statement also condemns the tendency where number of Cabinet Ministers are attending to Presidential political rallies yet they have nothing to do at the event.

CHRR and Cedep says such a practice is only wasting public money. 

“We at CHRR and Cedep are deeply disappointed at the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government’s continued wastage of the country’s limited resources on political rallies disguised as development rallies. Our position is informed by the recent ‘development rally’ in Mangochi where a horde of Cabinet ministers and other government officials accompanied the President at the painful cost of tax-payers. This is outrageous! While we appreciate the need for the President to address the nation on the government’s development plans, we find the expenses that accompany such functions too excessive for the current state of the economy”

In the statement CHRR and Cedep, vows not to tire to remind the DPP government that it should consider spending the limited resources on critical areas such as the health, education, water and energy sectors in dire need to urgent attention.

“If at all President Prof. Peter Mutharika feels like updating the nation on his government’s plans, let him be conducting periodic press conferences which, in our considered view, are a cost-effective alternative” says the statement

Girls Work Hard In School To Achieve Your Dreams- National Assembly

Chambo girls pose with Speaker and Legislatures

The National Assembly asks girls to remain in school and work hard in their education to achieve their dreams.

The message was said on Tuesday when 94 girls from Chambo Girls Private Secondary School in Mzimba had a rare opportunity at Parliament Building of interacting with Speaker, some cabinet Ministers and female legislatures.

Kaliati speaks to the girls

In their encounter, Chambo girls were offered some motivation talks on how to pursue and achieve their dreams and some female legislatures made recounts of how they defeated challenges in their lives to become what they are today. One legislature said her family could not provide her with school fees for the belief that it could be a waste of time educating a girl who will possibly get married to rich men in future. Others narrated how in the face of financial challenges but worked hard to pursue education.

Msowoya 

Speaker of the National Assembly, Richard Msowoya, Minister of Gender, Patricia Kaliati, Minister of Sports, Grace Chiumia, former First Lady Shanil Dzimbiri, and Jessie Kabwila were among number of legislatures who inspired girls with words of encouragement on self confidence and hard work in school for them to become future leaders.

Kabwila, Msowoya, Nyalonje 

The girls were brought by Mzimba North Legislature hon Agnes Makonda Nyalonje who wanted to offer Chambo girls a platform where they can meet with role models to get some words of motivation on how they can pursue and achieve their dreams.

Agnes Nyalonje said organized the visit to expose the girls to number of role models so that they learn from them how they managed to become leaders in their society.

Mzimba North Legislature while encouraging Malawian girls to work hard in school, offered hope that National Assembly and female parliamentarians as well as education committees in particular, are working hard to ensure that education system is improved to enable girls to access to quality education.

“We are also fighting for the girls hostels, because we know that when girls have to walk 10 kilometers or even longer sometimes to go to school, there is no way we can expect them to stay focused when they get to school and there is no way we can expect them to attend school all the times” said Nyalonje

She also noted the recently passed Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations bill which safeguards welfare of girls as one way the National Assembly is protecting and ensuring that girls remain at school.

“There are programmes being undertaken by Government and NGO’s that empower girls and encourage them to stay in school including bursaries.” She added

Then she offered a word of encouragement to girls “My message to girls is focus on education, push those around you to give you opportunity. Sometimes it is not always about waiting to be given it but girls too have to take initiative and they have to believe in their selves, and they have to have confidence, to claim that which is theirs and never give up” encouraged Njalonje

Rachel Vachi

“When I came here I was so much encouraged by the speeches that we need to have self confidence and that we can do anything but we should not be flirting with boys but love school first.” Said one student Rachel Vachi

She added “Watching deliberations in the Chamber I got encouraged by the courage that female parliamentarians have. They speak boldly on issues of national importance in the face of men.”

Wendie Chimbayo

Another student Wendie Chimbayo said “As the parliamentarians have told us that the sky is the limit, I would like to encourage girls that we have to work hard in school because doing so we can achieve anything. We also need to stay focused no matter how big are challenges that we are facing, lets aim to achieve our goals.”

National Assembly Muted From Commenting On Arrests Of Late Msiska’s Children

A lot of parliamentarians from opposition benches on Wednesday evening were taken by surprise when Minister of Justice and Constitution Affairs told the House that no more debate on arrests of Children of former legislature for Rumphi North, late Tasoka Msiska as the matter is now in the hands of Court.

Minister of Justice, Samuel Tembenu said two children of Msiska were indeed in custody and appeared before court on Wednesday but one child is still at large.

Then Tembenu said since the case is in court, therefore standing order 14 of the House prevents the legislatures from debating on the matter.

On matters before a Court of Law, Parliamentary Standing Order 192 states that “Subject to the right of the Assembly to legislate on any matter, a matters awaiting or under adjudication in any court of record shall not be referred to in motion, debate or question from the time the case has been set down for trial or otherwise before the court, if there is a real danger of prejudice to the trial of the case.

This rule shall cease to have effect in any case when the verdict and sentence have been announced or judgment given or, in any case where notice or appeal is given, the appeal has been decided.”

But most of the opposition members looked to be annoyed that they do not have power to question the Minister of Information over the issue which is regarded political.

New Amendment Oblige Banks To Send Credit Information To Credit Reference Bureau

The National Assembly has passes an amendment bill that oblige by the law, all Persons lending and financial institutions like banks and to provide to the Credit Reference Bureau with repayment history and current debt profiles of Persons and Companies.

On Tuesday evening the House passed Credit Reference Bureau Amendment bill with overwhelming support from main opposition parties of Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and People’s Party (PP).  

Credit Reference Bureau is a company that allows users to exchange information on their clients repayment history and current debt profiles which compiles a data base that collects, stores, consolidates and process information related to credit history of a person.

However, the Bureau has been failing to get credit information of individuals and companies information from banks. This has been making it difficult for the Bureau to disseminate such credit information among users for their businesses.

Minister of Finance, Goodall Gondwe when presenting the bill in the House, said when the bill was passed in 2010 “We forgot to obligate banks” to send information to the bureau of the profile of individuals and companies on their credit history and profile.

According to the Credit Reference Bureau Act of 2010, (Part II- Operations of the bureau [13 (3 A)] the Bureau may collect credit information from financial institutions and any other institution as may be prescribed by the Minister upon recommendations by the Registrar and consult public sources of information for data in official records.

“In order to obligate them (financial and credit institutions) we have to say that it is mandatory by law for them to send that information” said Gondwe 

The Act provides that the Bureau stores the credit data for a period of 7 years.

National Assembly Authorise US $60 Million Loan On Transport, Trade Facilitation

National Assembly passes a Loan Authorization bill worth US $60 million which is expected to lead to vast improvement on Malawi economies of trade and transportation.

Among terms of the World Bank loan is 10 year grace period within 40 years that will take Malawi to repay the loan. There is 0.075% of interest for the money used but with service charge of 0.5 for unused money.

The National Assembly passed the bill 'International Development Association (Southern Africa Trade and Transport Facilitation Programme Phase 2) Loan Authorisation'. 

No amendment were made but Malawi Congress party through its spokesperson on Finance matters in the House, Alexander Kusamba Dzonzi urged government to also consider improvement of water transport.

Goodall Gondwe Minister of Finance when bringing the Bill in the House, said the bill will support the infrastructure improvement of the three corridors of Beila, Nacara and Dar es Salam.

He said the project will take four years because of number of stages that are to be done that will imply more activities including train young people on issues of the clearance of commodities and various other trades that are involved in the transit goods.

On Mozambican routes Gondwe said, a rail way project is about to complete on the Nacara route and that at Beila, Mozambicans are improving the port. Thereofore he said Malawi is looking for the possibility of improving the railway from Beila to Blantyre and also improve the Chilomo bridge.

While on the side of Tanzania, the Finance Minister said the route to Dar es Salaam road are in bad state including Chiweta road. He therefore said through the loan, there are number of things that will be done to make Dar es Salaam a first class route and to make it cheep on trade route.

“But aside from that there are other services that are going to be improved. Things like transit traffic from Dar es Salaam to the South. On Songwe boarder for example you have one side which is the Tanzanian side and the other one is for Malawi. And a Transporter has to declare his goods twice.

So, this loan helps us put facilities in such a way that we are going to have one window in Songwe as well as in Mwanza, Dedza and so forth.” He said 

He added “Also in the process we are going to improve the health facilities of the people involved around there”

The project worth US $60 million loan which is close to K30 billion will take four years because of number of stages to be done that will imply to more activities including train young people on issues of the clearance of commodities and various other trades that are involve in the transit goods.