Malawi Parliament Adopts Hemp Cultivation Motion

How Malawi Economy Wins Through Industrial Hemp

Industrial Hemp Farm

In a historic way, the Malawi National Assembly on Thursday, 16^th June 2016, adopted a motion legalizing the cultivation of the Industrial Hemp for its economic and health benefits.

Ntchisi North Legislator, Boniface Kadzamira presented the motion which has been appearing in the Order Paper since in February this year but the motion failed to be debated.

Consult Mzimba Chiefs On Customary Land Bill-Nyalonje

Mzimba North constituency legislature, Agnes Nyalonje has tipped the National Assembly to consider inclusion of Chiefs from Mzimba district in the list of stakeholders that are to appear before four committees tasked to scrutinize Customary Land Bill. 

The bill was referred to Committees on Legal Affairs, Natural Resources, Women’s Caucus, and Agriculture for thorough scrutiny with expertise from stakeholders well versed in customary land issues.

Before the bill was referred to the committees on Friday, Honorable Nyalonje told the National Assembly that most of new areas highlighted in the bill as areas for improvement are not new among Chiefs of Mzimba. 

She said Mzimba chiefs have a robust system of Customary land management which is still practiced now and therefore considering significance of the bill, Chiefs in Mzimba are relevant stakeholders who can give their point of view to enable the new legislation to incorporate the customary systems that are already in practice.

“What stands out is that the way Mzimba Chiefs have managed the land for generations is very different to the way land has been managed in other parts of the country and that their system works.” Noted Nyalonje later in an interview

She emphasized that in the search for a improvement it is good that the consultations should not lose sight of those things that are already working now.

Nyalonje also disclosed that Mzimba Chiefs are also concerned with some provisions in the new bill particularly on huge powers given to Minister. 

She mentioned that the recent meeting Chiefs had with number of stakeholders including Mzimba Heritage Association, MPs and academics, Chiefs said putting so much power into Minister allows fertile ground for corruption and they further expressed their wish of having their input heard before the proposed bill gets implementation.

“Chiefs are saying involve us because for us to feel that we own these pieces of legislations we must feel that they are addressing our challenges. Because the areas where the legislation is seeking to improve may already be there but on the other hand there might be other areas that have been left out that as far as they see should be included in order to strengthen the legislation.” She said 

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. 

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.”

Public University Students Petition Parliament; Demands Adequate Funds For Loan Board

Students Union Leaders from Public Universities on Thursday afternoon delivered a Petition to Parliament, demanding for adequate funding for the newly established Higher Education Students Grants and Loan Board to enable it include more needy students to access to loans.


The Board’s national fiscal budget allocation is currently at K1.5 billion and has released names of beneficiaries.


However, Students Union Leadership says the number of beneficiaries is very small comparing to the situations on the ground at the colleges, left so many other deserving students so desperate for the help of the Malawi government for their education.

Hon Nyalonje (middle) 

Hon Nyalonje listening to the petition 

The petition which is only making three demands was presented to the Speaker through Vice Chairperson for the Education Committee of Parliament, Hon Agnes Nyalonje. 

Davis reading petition 

When reading the petition, Davis Jiva, Secretary General for the Students Union at the University of Malawi Polytechnic said the Students Union Leadership wants government to double the budget allocated to the Board so that a lot of needy students are able to access to the loan.

He also indicated that, due to inadequate funds at the Board, a good number of students on the list of beneficiaries have been underfunded. 

"Some students have just been given fees only but lacking stipend (money for food and accommodation). Statistically, the Malawi polytechnics with a population of about 3,000 only 96 have been allocated with up-keep allowance; Chancellor College with a population of 4,500, only 90 students have been allocated stipend." He said 

He explains; "For example, tuition fee at University of Malawi is K275 thousand, some students have been given K165 thousand as tuition fee. So the question is where would the needy student going to get the remaining money to pay for the tuition fee?"

Other two demands in their petition, the students wants to be consulted and involved to allow the Board to understand some of the in depth understanding of the students and that there should be a review of the Higher Education Students Grants and Loan Board Act to provide a section where the role of students unions should be clearly stated.

The petition also observe that the Board has released the names of the beneficiaries without seeking consultation and that there is no communication on the date to which loans will be disbursed to individual applicant a delay which is causing some students to be withdrawn from the colleges.

"For example, a student from LUANAR whose mother's source of income is kachasu, withdrew from university because she could not meet costs for accommodation, meals and tuition." Reads the petition

Students Union Leadership demands the National Assembly to work on their petition within 2 weeks so that needy students are not subjected to 'no fees no registration' policy.

Receiving the petition Vice Chairperson for the Education Committee of Parliament, Hon Agnes Nyalonje promised to deliver the letter to Speaker and help the students on their grievance.

The Petition has jointly been signed by University of Malawi Students Union Council, Mzuzu University Students Representative Council, Lilongwe University Agriculture and Natural Resources Students Union and Malawi University of Science and Technology Students Union.

Government abolished stipends to all public universities and introduced Higher Education Students Loan and Grants Board where students can apply for the tuition, stationary and upkeep allowance. However, the Board admitted that due to limited funding it will be difficult to consider all applicants for the Loans and Grants.

Updated: 2015/2016 Budget lopsided; People Of North Benefit Nothing- MPs

Hon Chihana: There is nothing for people of north

Members of Parliament (MPs) from Northern region of Malawi on Thursday criticized the proposed 2015/2016 budget as too "regionalistic", with a lot of development resources allocation skewed towards Southern and Central regions of the country.

At a meeting with members of press held at Parliament building, 9 legislatures who asserted to have represented all MPs from Northern region said are not happy with the budget being deliberated upon at National Assembly and link it to previous budgets where the trend has been the same.

Hon Mzomera Ngwira: We are concerned over the
Continued trend 

Mzimba Hora legislature, Honorable Mzomera Mgwira, said "We have seen that each budget is not benefiting people that we represent especially those in the northern region" and added "Even last year budget (2014/2015 budget) had completely nothing for projects in the northern region"

Hon Ngwira seating with Hon Nyalonje 

Hon Ngwira further said all developments projects taking place in the northern region are project grants and nothing from Malawi government budget.

Nine legislatures including; hons. Enoch Chihana, Agnes Nyalonje, Werani Chilenga, Kamlepo Kalua and Jacqueline Kouwenhoven concurred with hon. Ngwira that all national budgets have failed to include expectations of people from north but rather what administration expect which in most cases gives too much money to projects benefiting people of Southern and Central regions of Malawi.

2015/2016 budget, has projected expenditure and net lending of K901.6 billion where the recurrent budget will be at K674.6 billion while the development budget will amount to K224.0 billion. However, the Parliamentarians noted with concern that from the development budget people of North will get nothing or miniscule amount compared to other regions. 

There is no budget for people of northern region 

They bemoaned that unlike Central and Sothern regions allocated with more resources for several development projects including on rehabilitation of Chileka and Kamuzu international airports (South and Central regions respectively), number of projects that government promised to implement for the northern region including, construction of new Mzuzu Airport, Njakwa- Chitimba road among others, remain a mare oratory since no funds have been allocated for such projects and that other projects such as Kafukurwe road which its contractor has abandoned the work for not being paid are expected to stall for some time. 

Hon Jacqueline Kouwenhoven: Poor roads
In my constituency 

Backing up other members position, Rumphi West parliamentarian, Hon. Jacqueline Kouwenhoven added that government has failed to live up to its promise of commencing feasibility study for Rumphi- Nyika road though Transport Minister had assured her several times that funds the task were available.

Chihana, Kouwenhoven& Kalua: We are abandoned

Hon Kouwenhoven also wondered why government is failing to develop Rumphi district which is a center for tourist attraction for its two national parks located in her constituency, Nyika national park and Vwaza marsh that could assist in boosting Malawi economy. She said the area is almost abandoned as road infrastructure is in pathetic state to the extent that roads leading to the parks are not graded.

Hon Kamlepo Kalua 

Member for Rumphi East Hon. Kamlepo Kalua echoed Mzimba North Agnes Nyalonje remarks emphasizing equity and achieve commitments when formulating national budget

"Time has come that we have to look at the country as one people and that North, South and Center, is one." Said Hon Kaula, "We are all Malawians and when we come up with the budget it should reflect nationalism" 

Hon Kamlepo who warned that parliamentarians from north will not stay quiet for any deliberate attempt to sideline people of northern region, proposed that for fairness, K60 billion should have been allocated to northern region from the K224 billion for the Development budget.

Hon Enock Chihana 

Hon Enoch Chihana MP for Rumphi Central constituency said had traveled the country and observed that it is worrisome development as resources are not equally distributed and such issues may lead to divisions.

He also said it is an insult for government to construct animal university (Mombera University) in the forests of Mzimba district yet the same district has Mzuzu University struggling financially and has poor structures. 

"These are issues that may resucitate federalism calls. We are not happy. Please consider us in this budget" appealed Chihana

The Northern region MPs says they remain adamant on pressure government to stop tribal and regional budget by raising same concerns in parliament, making consultations with people in their respective constituencies and continue engagements with relevant authorities.

Hon Nyalonje, Hon Raphael Mhone (middle) 
& Hon Werani Chilenga: We will push for increment

They further warned that continued sidelining of northern region in development projects will encourage calls for federalism as the unitary system of goverment apparently continues to fail meeting needs of people in Northern region.

2015/2016 Budget Sidelines People of North- Says MPs

2015/2016 budget sideline Northern Region people says Legislatures, appeals for the increased allocation for the Development Budget.

The 2015/2016 Budget has K224 billion but the northern region MPs says out of this allocation the northern region will get almost nothing.

During the press briefing held at the Parliament Building in the capital city Lilongwe, 9 parliamentarians representing all northern region constituencies said it is worrisome that this year' budget like other previous years the northern part of Malawi will again not benefit from the budget.

The Parliamentarians bemoaned that number of promised projects like roads, Mzuzu Airport, education and health including water projects have received nothing yet government continues to boast doing a lot to the Northern region.

Nine legislatures, representatives of Northern region including hon Mzomera Ngwira, Enoch Chihana, Agnes Nyalonje, Werani Chilenga and Kamlepo Kalua said there is nothing in this budget that can benefit people of north.

Hon Mzomera Ngwira who led the meeting said Northern region MPs have seen that each year budget is not benefiting people of north citing that even last year budget had completely nothing to support northern region projects.

He mentioned of number of unfulfilled promises including Mzuzu airport since 2010 yet government has allocated more resources for Chileka and Kamuzu airport which are from Southern Region and Central Region respectively.

Amlosnt every parliamentarian in the meeting observed that more budget support is skewed to Southern region and Central region areas and said this may lead to future conflicts.

Rumphi West parliamentarian Jacqueline Kouwenhoven proved the point that northern region is being sidelined saying, though her constituency has two national parks of Nyika and Vwaza marsh but roads and other infrastructure are in pathetic state.

Kamlepo Kalua member for Rumphi East emphasized that time has come that governments should unite people in all regions by formulating budget that reflects nationalism.

He therefore proposed that out K224 billion for Development budget, northern region has to be allocated at least K60 billion.

Other MPs complained that even CDF money, northern districts have less disbursement yet Southern region and central region have received 90% of their K9 million.

The Northern region MPs says remains adamant to pressure government through parliament chambers, consult people in their constituents and continue to engage relevant people to ensure that government is implementing fairness in the budget.

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Speaker’s Ruling On Teachers Petition Irks Education Committee

The Second Deputy Speaker of the Malawi National Assembly hon Dr. Clement Chiwaya irked the Parliamentary Education Committee on Thursday evening when he ruled that the Secondary School Teachers petition on ‘delayed promotion’ be referred back to education committee.

Regarding the urgency of issues raised in the petition, the relevant parliamentary committee, Education Committee had wanted to send the petition directly to the Teaching Service Commission which deals with the Teachers conditions of service through the Minister of Education Science and Technology after it was presented in the house for a quick solution.

Honorable member for Mzimba North Constituency and Vice Chairperson for Education Committee of parliament, Agnes Nyalonje presented teachers petition in the house on Thursday afternoon but the ruling implore that teachers grievances will remain unsolved for a while.

360 Secondary school teachers who upgraded themselves through doing various courses including diploma and degree courses signed the petition which was handed to National Assembly through the committee on 13th May 2015.

Teachers stated in their petition that they want to be promoted and gave Ministry of Education up to the end of the month of May to give them promotion failing which they are going to down tools country wide until they get the correct response.

Before Hon Nyalonje finished reading the petition in the house, wanted to present the committee recommendation that the petition be referred to the Teaching Service Commission because matters therein are urgent. However, the Second Deputy Speaker for more than three times, interrupted and guided the honorable member to follow the rules by refer the petition to the relevant committee which in this case it is back to the Education committee.

According to Parliamentary Standing Orders, the Member presenting the petition may move that it be “referred to a Select Committee”

Hon Nyalonje and the committee accepted to follow the ruling and referred the petition back to her committee.

However, in an interview Hon Nyalonje could not hide her disappointment over the ruling. She said the committee felt and recommended that the necessary procedure was to ask the whole house to refer the petition directly to the Teaching Service Commission. 

Hon Nyalonje said she “personally felt it was unfortunate” for the house to take that lengthy path which may only worsen problems in secondary schools which already have shortage of teachers.

“There is authority mandated to deal with the issue and that matters raised have a sense of urgency to that. As such if we know who is to deal with them what is the point referring it back when the committee in its wisdom as the committee entrusted with education knows that this petition should be dealt with in this manner?” questioned Hon Nyalonje

“Referring this petition to the Education Committee is a way of delay the solution of the issues contained in the letter” Said hon Nyalonje who feared that teachers may take an action which may disturb school calendar if their grievances remain unsettled as quickly as possible

“The Parliamentary Committee on Education Science and Technology was used as a conduit to present the petition to this house and get it to the right authority to deal with this issue.” She observed

“We in the committee felt that this petition instead of wasting time; referring to the committee which is not mandated to deal with it, it should go straight from the House to the Teaching Service Commission through the Minister of Education who should then be mandated to present a response in the house within 14 days.” She said

The teachers petition made four demands that; That promotion be done “promptly dating to the day” they graduated, paid arrears in full a month after effecting the changes in their pay slips, be refunded the money that was used to pay for fees arguing that ‘condition of service are clear that when one undergoes training the responsible ministry will pay the relevant allowances including a study leave.’

The petition further demands that their years of service should be taken into consideration for promotion into appropriate grade, as the delay into giving them the grade that they deserve made them miss the opportunity to attend the interviews that were done by Teaching Service Commission.