National Assembly Leadership Worried Over Absenteeism

Chakwera

Leadership from Government and the Opposition sides in the National Assembly has pleaded with legislatures to stop growing tendency of absconding daily business in the House.

The just ended First Meeting of 46th Session of National Assembly was characterized by absenteeism more especially from the Government side of the House.

Kasaila

Leader of Opposition Lazarus Chakwera in his remarks on Friday, before the House adjourned sine die emphasized that in future Meetings the House should rise above lack of respect and great absenteeism.

"Everyone contribution is important and we represent people out there and we want to be able to make sure that when the decisions are being made the whole House makes those decisions because everyone is participating." Said Chakwera in an interview 

The Opposition Leader also lamented the confusion and misinterpretation of the House Standing Orders. He therefore underlined the need for the House to strictly adhere to the Standing Orders and the Decorum standards in future Sessions.

He said; "We should adhere more to our own Standing Orders and where those orders need fine tuning Legal Affairs Committee are to be able to do that because we must maintain the fact that all time is for us and time is not only money time is holy. We must treat it the way it is. We will not pass through this time again, we need to serve Malawians the best we can with sacrifices if needed"

Chakwera had also in his speech proposed for full business day deliberations on Monday and Wednesdays to enable productive deliberations as most business continue to be left out.

Chakwera concerns on absenteeism were also echoed by Leader of the House, Francis Kasaila. He said; "We wished averyone was available the reason we come here is to represent our people from the constituencies that we are coming from."

He said full and daily participation of the business of the House is essential because members could have very good ideas and altenative views from their constituencies for Government consideration.

"Indeed if honorable member decides not to be available in the House what would mean is Government would not get that kind of advice and the views that are coming from that sector of the community. And that is very regretable" said Kasaila

While emphasising that absenteeisim must stop, Kasaila indicated that the House will continue to always encourage the membership of the House to prioritise the business of the House.