The National Assembly rises Sine Die today with each side of the House accusing another for misconduct during the transaction of the business of the House.
The meeting was widely convened to discuss the Midyear Review of 2015/2016 Budget which started on Monday 22 February 2016 and has ended today Friday, 18th March 2016.
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| Chakwera |
Leader of Opposition Lazarus Chakwera described the second meeting of 46th Session as ending "with mixed bag."
He elaborated in his speech that the meeting comes to an end at the time the country is facing severe food shortage country wide despite assurances that all is well yet ADMARC depots have become residences of women and children a development which he described as “indignity experience”.
He was equally concerned that the House conducted the business in the context of the depressing macroeconomic indicators despite promises that Government policies are working.
He also mentioned that the business was conducted with police intimidation, a reference to the arrest of his two legislatures, Jessie Kabwila and Peter Chakhwantha. But said despite all these challenges the opposition remained unshaken as this did not demoralize the intended target.
“We have reviewed and subsequently passed a revised budget amidst assurances of fiscal discipline despite reluctance to critically look at fundamental monetary direction.
For us in the Opposition, particularly the Malawi Congress Party, our honorable members were treated dishonorably through irregular charges and as we rise we are still traumatized by the sudden demise of one of us whose body was laid to rest on Tuesday." said Chakwera
"Despite all of these we have conducted business with rare level headedness in serving Malawians who sent us to this August House to represent them.” he added
The Malawi Congress Party Leader, Chakwera, said to demonstrate desire to strengthen institutions that fight corruption the opposition during the Meeting, they brought some substantive legislative amendment through Private Members Bill, but said was disappointed that the Government side shot down their motion.
“What we have deliberated in the various sittings of this Midyear Budget Meeting, has clearly revealed the depth of the sickness that needs a strong remedy: A revert to a drawing board of Malawi that we want for our youth, the elderly and the vulnerable groups. We must go back to the drawing board because the gap between the Haves and the Have nots is widening each passing day due to inequalities everywhere and our like of exhibiting strong moral standing in favor of what I would call Belly Politics." He said
"We have honorables who have shown that they put their Kwachas over the fundamentals of running an efficient corrupt free Government. This August House will continue to face challenges in its duties if one Arm of Government fails in its mandate to reconcile all developmental policies for the common good of Malawi. We need that big picture blueprint yesterday.
As opposition we shall continue to push for a comprehensive enactment of legislation that executive has sat on from 2007-2008 Law Commission recommendations to the more recent electoral reform recommendations so that all Malawians can win and have a better future. We shall not give in to despair nor discouragement. We shall fight on until genuine transformation development, democracy and dignity are entrenched tenets in our country.” vows Chakwera who commended members of House who uphold and continue to fight for Malawi that is progressive, non corruptive and morally secure
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| Kasaila |
When moving a motion for adjournment of the House Sine Die, Leader of the House, Francis Kasaila also accused the opposition for their incessant use of hatred speeches.
In an interview, Kasaila said throughout the business of the House the opposition have tried ways of to bring problems in the House.
He specifically pointed out at the way Opposition attempted to proceed with Private Members business. He said there was clear evidence that the opposition had ill motive to pass a proposed amendment on Corrupt Practices Act on the Authority to appoint Anti Corruption Bureau Director General and his Deputy. He said the opposition failed attempt to curtail debate just after two members had contributed was undemocratic because they wanted to ambush Government side who at that particular time were very few.
"Bills needs more views and consultatins. But they did not want that" said Kasaila
He also said rejection of some of the budget votes during the Committee of Supply was not of the best interest to Malawians.
However, Kasala was quick to describe the meeting on the outset as “generally been a success” and thanked all members for their hard work and dedication.
He said the business was transacted as planned.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Richard Msowoya said he was happy to note some improvements in the transaction of the business in the House and for cooperation and constributions
Highlights of the Meeting
The meeting began on February 22, 2016 with Ministerial Statement by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development on Food Situation in the Country. Other statements discussed during the Meeting were Statement on Drugs and Food situation in the Hospitals on 23 February, 2016 and Statement on Youth Development Initiative in Malawi on 23 February, 2016 but was concluded on 16th March 2016. But the meeting failed to discuss Ministerial Statement from Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare on Rising Cases of Violence against Older Persons in Malawi.
Minister of Finance delivered 2015-2016 Midyear Budget Review Statement on Friday 26 February 2016 and the House debate began on 29th February 2016 to 7th March 2016 after which the revised Midyear Budget estimates were considered by the Committee of Supply from Monday 7th March 2016 to Friday 11 March 2016 where all the votes were passed. Ultimately the House passed 2015-2016 Midyear Revised Budget with total sum of K902 billion.
A total of 39 out of 132 questions submitted to various Government Ministries were responded to by responsible Ministers. Some questions to the President were not taken by relevant Cabinet Ministers who were delegated by the President as the legislatures demanded the President himself to respond to those questions.
On Bills, the House passed Metrology bill on 14th March 2016 and Appropriation Amendment which was passed on 14th March 2016. But Communications Bill is at Committee Stage.
Land bill, Physical Planning bill, Land Survey bill and Customary Land bill have been referred to Committees of Women Caucus, Legal Affairs, Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Due to limited time the following bills failed to be tabled.
- Electronic Transactions (Parliamentary Committee on Media, Information and Communications to present a Report on the Bill.)
- Payment Systems (The Budget Committee in the day already presented a report on the bill)
- Access to Information
- Forestry (Amendment)
- Malawi Housing Corporation (Amendment N.2)
- Registered Land (Amendment)
- Public Roads (Amendment)
- Land Acquisition
- Local Government (Amendment)
- International Fund for Agricultural Development (Programme for Rural Irrigation Development) Loan (Authorisation)
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