Promised ATI, Land Bills Never Came In The House- Complains Chakwera As National Assembly Adjourns Sine-Die

Chakwela

Leader of Opposition in National Assembly and President for the country's main opposition party, Lazarus Chakwera, says the First Meeting of the 46th Session of the National Assembly  has come to an end without deliberating the much awaited bills.

He also bemoaned that there has been a lot of business that should have been considered on the order paper.

Chakwera said in his speech before the House adjourned sine die,that the House hoped “for a vibrant debate on the Access to Information (ATI) bill particularly after being assured by the Country’s leadership to have the bill and some land bills tabled.

“But we had hope that all other bills that we had been promised would have also been tabled in order for us to tell the world and us Malawians that we want to be a country that is accountable that is transparent in all our dealings and that’s the reason that Access to Information Bill is some kind of disappointment not to have it tabled.” he said

”We look forward to enacting badly needed legislation on reforms, ATI among others for all of us to better serve Malawians experiencing terrible inequalities in economic, agriculture, education health, politics. These disparities must be dealt with."

Chakwera expressed hope that ATI and Land bills that were promised prior to the just ended Meeting that will be brought to the Business Committee of the Houses will be made available during the Second Meeting expected in February next year. 

"So we are trusting that the midyear review will bring many of these pieces of legislation to be discussed in the chamber.” hoped Chakwera

However, the opposition leader, noted that the house managed to consider some business which he think have given hope to Malawians. He mentioned issues of hunger situation and preparation for the farming season, education and health issues as some of the isues that the House consodered and placed much focus because they needed serious attention.

Francis Kasaila

Moving motion that the House adjourn Sine Die, Leader of House Francis Kasaila said the Meetings deliberations went on smoothly against early speculations that there would be inside fighting.

“I believe that looking at the amount of work that has been dealt with I can say without fear of contradiction that I think we have done a good job.” Said Kasaila 

He, however acknowledged existence of areas that need improvement and promised as leaders of the House to endeavor to improve in the subsequent meetings of the House.

Speaking of what transpired for four weeks since the Opening of the First Meeting by President Peter Mutharika with State of the National Adress delivered on Friday 6th November 2015, Kasaila said 6 Ministerial statements were delivered in the House and 2 remains on the Order Paper.

He among others said two public petitions (from University Students Leadership and Civil Society Organisations on Health) were delivered to the House and that 9 bills were passed.

Bills Passed During First Meeting Of 46th Session of National Assembly 

1. Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Amendment Bill) passed on Wednesday 11th November 215.
2. Estate Duty (Amendment Bill) passed on Monday 16th November 2015
3. International Development Association (Southern Africa Trade and Transport Programme Phase 2)  Loan Authorization Bill passed on Tuesday 17th November 2015
4. Credit Reference Bureau (Amendment Bill) passed on Tuesday 17th November 2015
5. Insolvency passed on Wednesday 18th November 2015
6. Malawi Institute of Procurement and Supply passed on Monday 23rd November 2015
7. European Investment Bank (Upgrading of Aviation Safety Equipment at Kamuzu and Chileka International Airports Project Loan Authorization Bill passed on Monday 30th November 2015
8. OPEC Fund for International Development (Mzimba Integrated Urban Water and Sanitation Project Loan Authorization Bill) passed on Tuesday 1st December 2015 and 
9. African Development Bank Mzimba Integrated Urban Water and Sanitation Project Loan Authorization Bill passed on Tuesday 1st December 2015

Three bills have since been referred to the Parliamentary Committees for Further scrutiny

1. Metrology Bill on Monday 23rd November 2015 the House resolved to refer the Report of the Parliamentary Committee on Trade, Industry and Tourism on this bill back to the Committee for refinement
2. Payment Systems Bill which was referred to the Budget Committee on Monday 23rd November 2015 and 
3. Electronic Transaction Bill which was referred to the Committee on Media, Information and Communication on Wednesday 25th November 2015

The leader hoped that the concerned committees will be ready with their reports for presentation to the House during the next Meeting of Parliament likely to be held in February 2016.