Hunger In Nsanje District; People Eating Water Lily ‘Nyika’ says MP

The Malawi National Assembly was shocked Thursday evening when legislature for Nsanje South West constituency showed the house what majority of people in his area are eating for survival, the area is facing shortage of staple food ‘maize’.

Hon Joseph Chidanti Malunga showed the house a bunch of aquatic plant ‘water lily tubers’ and said such are types of foods that people in his constituency are surviving on due to hunger which has hit the area following the past drought and floods.

Hon Chidanti Malunga

The Parliamentarian was making his constituency statement during Thursday’s Private Members Day where he emphasized that there is no more “looming hunger”in his constituency but now “hunger is here”

“We need to know where we are with the maize purchase.” He demanded, “We need to know if we have started purchasing and how long shall we wait while eating this before it gets to ADMARC markets” he told the house as he asks those charged with responsibility to answer the question.

He said Nsanje South West hunger situation has changed from looming to reality, quicker than the rest of disaster areas due serious problem caused by two ecological zones which are subject to agricultural activities. He said this year the area faced both floods and drought, a combination of the two have reduced crop yields.

He then said Nsanje South West Constituency requires immediate food assistance and that government should respond as soon as possible.

However, Leader of House Hon Francis Lazaro Kasaila said the nation has enough stock of grain reserve in all storage facilities remarks which did not go well with Leader for Peoples Party in the National Assembly Hon Ulladi Mussa who said the leader of house was out of order to say that maize is available at Grain reserve yet people are suffering. He demanded that that maize be available to people of Nsanje

But speaking in an interview, hon. Chidanti said “The problem is probably in the whole of Nsanje” but noted that he could not speak for the whole Nsanje district“I was just speaking for a small part of Nsanje which is my constituency Nsanje South West but the truth is that the situation is the same everywhere else” he said

“We are in a very critical condition; there is no food and there is no maize in ADMARC market depot.” He said refereeing to two ADMARC market depots in his area of Nsanje Mbenje and Ng’oma.

He said the development has worsened situation as those that have money to afford maize have joined others to flock to the streams and swamps in search for “things that they can eat”then said ‘water lily’ locally known as Nyika is the hottest food now.

“I know government has not abandoned us but I am just to reporting this development to government to do more on saving the people of Nsanje” he saidwhile maintaining that the money that was approved by the National Assembly to buy maize should trickle down to people of Nsanje.

“People are suffering right now and we don’t want them to suffer forever and be eating the stuff that I showed in the parliament” he said

“I think this is a wake-up call that something quickly must be done” he added

The financial year of 2015/2016 budget to be approved in this session has the amount of K133.7 billion allocation to the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water development which part of it will be for maize purchase and that the a US $80 million Loan Authorization bill has been passed by the National Assembly on the same course.

“I have two suggestions” said Hon Chidanti regarding the money to be for the food purchase, “Firstly, we have to make sure that the ADMARC markets have enough maize to enable those that have money to buy the maize and that secondly, the most vulnerable be given free maize.”

Contractor Mis-Procurement for the Upgrade of Machinga, Chingale-Lilangwe Road Leading to More Sufferings: CCJP Urges Current Regime Not To Repeat Similar Decision

• Dr. Joyce Banda Govt misprocured contractor for the road

• Continued deaths enroute to hospital are among challenges

Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of Zomba Diocese says government choice to mis-procure contractor to upgrade the Machinga, Chingale-Lirangwe road to tarmac has not solved any long and increasingly sufferings of people from districts of Machinga, Zomba and Blantyre, rather another journey of misery.

The construction works for the road was stalled immediately when Peoples Party (PP) led Administration launched the upgrade of the road in March 2014, as Kuwait Fund withheld its resources after observing that Malawi government had flouted procedure by hiring a European contractor ‘Mota-Engil to do the upgrade works, tangent of the Loan agreement that ‘the contractor should be sourced from Arab country.’ 

The withheld money was a bill passed by the National Assembly in 2013 ‘Kuwait Fund Loan Authorisation’ valued at $10.2 million for the upgrading and rehabilitation of approximately 62.3km Machinga, Chingale-Lirangwe road to a tarmac by 2014 and then Deputy Minister of Finance hon Cornelius Mwalwanda signed the Loan agreement on 19 November, 2013.

Director for Zomba CCJP office Raphael Yusufu, says the stall, is continuously leading to frequent death among patients on their way to referral hospitals of; Zomba Central Hospital, Mlambe Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre. 

Yusufu, further said Public as well as private servants are shunning away from working in the area; lack of viable markets even though the area is the food basket for Zomba, Machinga and Lunzu towns; and people are experiencing untimely delivery of materials such as school materials, agricultural commodities and FISP inputs when it rains because the road becomes impassable. 

While expressing disapproval of the decision made by then government and caution current government to refrain from committing such unjust procedure any time in future he said “Times for politicking is over and let us develop our nation by making sure that we respect all the due process required as stipulated in contracts signed with the cooperating partners.” 

“We have seen leaving of Mota-Engil from their designated camping site in Chipini without any explanation to the community. In addition, the road was to commence as soon as it was launched in March, 2014, however nothing has materialized on the ground.” observed Yusufu

Others who spoke to this reporter from Chingale Constituency, explained that in 2014, they had to cough in extra money to hire for a vehicle to carry their FISP inputs after the truck which was meant to deliver the same got stuck in Lirangwe and Pregnant women are still delivering along the way and patients dying on their way to referral hospitals. 

But in a recent interview, Minister of Transport and Public Works hon. Francis Kasaila acknowledged the problem but was quick to mention that current administration is in talks with Kuwait and that it has already removed Mota-Engil on the road site so that new procurement of Arab world contractor begins as per agreement of the loan. 

He said officials from Arab bank of Kuwait would be in Malawi by the end of March to finalize deal negotiations and within 90 days the Ministry would have all due processes finalized and by July latest the contractor could be on the ground.

“We are meeting with Kuwait Fund on how we move forward because they need to give us a go ahead, a no objection to procure another contractor. That process will definitely start as soon as we meet and agree on the way forward."

Kasaila equally expressed grief over the decision made by then government "It was a costly decision we have lost time, we had our relationship to save between us and the donors, because when you do mis-procurement you are putting yourself in bad light with donors as a country" 

The Minister, then said "Our colleagues in Lirangwe, Chingale and Machinga they have been expecting this construction works to start long time ago but nothing is on the ground”

“We should endeavor not to do that because it becomes sad, if that happens it is the country that loses resources, we have lost time as well. Therefore it is something that as government we have learned and we hope we will not repeat in the future." He assured

However, Zomba CCJP Director further reminds Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government to live up to its promise of upgrading the road “Machinga-Chingale-Lirangwe is one of the priority roads promised in the DPP Manifesto and is high time they rise to the occasion by fulfilling their promises through ensuring that the socioeconomic rights of people living along this road is respected by giving them a tarmac road.”

Concerned people from areas along the road have gone to the extent of warning that if their road is not upgraded into tarmac by this regime, then they will campaign against voting for DPP and its candidates come 2019 elections.

3rd Meeting of 45th Session for National Assembly Rise Sine Die; Chakwera Brands the Meeting as Successful

3^rd Meeting of 45^th Session for National Assembly Rise Sine Die; Chakwera Brands the Meeting as Successful

The 2014-2015 Budget Review Meeting of National Assembly has adjourned Sine Die on Friday 27^th February 2015.

Delivering his Adjournment Remarks, Leader of Opposition Hon. Lazarus Chakwera offered his appreciation to all members from both sides for constructive criticism in a very compacted meeting they had which he said has enable the house to do business in a manner that informs Malawians that Legislatures always put people’s issues first.

He also encouraged members and government to continue strive to end poverty by creating growth to Malawians particularly those in rural areas and make policies that does not only benefit few. He added that Executive should ensure that decisions made in the House are followed.

Chakwera

Chakwera while expressing satisfaction of how the House transacted its business also made emphasis that committees “must continue doing their work and be seem to function as they continue provide oversight role”

Moving his Adjournment Motion that the House Adjourn Sine Die Leader of House Hon Francis Kasaila, expressed his sincere appreciation to all members for being serious during the deliberations.

“I wish to assure this August House that government will take into account each and every alternative suggested in this meeting to inform future policy changes and implementation.” He said while moving a motion that the house do adjourn Sine Die.

The 3^rd Meeting largely for the Midyear Budget Review began on 2^nd February to 27^th February 2015.

The House had discussed two Ministerial Statements and failed to discuss two Ministerial Statements which will be discussed in the next Meeting of Parliament.

 

Goodal: Minister of Finance

Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development delivered on 6^th February 2015 a Mid Year Budget review and was agreed to it on 16 February 2015, the revised estimates were considered by Committee of Supply starting on 19^th February and 24^th February in which the House passed a total sum of K769.2 billion.

During the meeting the House considered and passed a total of five Government Bills; International Development Association Skills Development Project Loan Authorization and Ratification, Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Bill, Supplementary Appropriation 2014/2015, Traffic in Persons Bill and Higher Education Students Loan.

However two bills have been referred to Parliamentary Committee on Trade and Industry and Tourism for consideration; Insolvency and Metrology, and the Committee is expected to submit its report this House during the next Meeting of the Assembly in May June 2015. The house failed to discuss and conclude; Reserve Bank of Malawi (Amendment), Estate Duty (Amendment), Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (Amendment) and Malawi Institute of Procurement and Supply.

On 18^th February 2015, the House confirmed Lexten Shame Kachama on his appointment as Inspector General of Malawi Police Service.

As the House was adjourned this Friday a total of 98 questions from 180 questions submitted to line ministries for oral replies were responded to and the remaining 82 questions according to Kasaila will be responded to in the next Meeting.

YAD: their petition was considered (Pic. YAD members Captured when Presenting Petition on ban for Alcohol in Sachets)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Private Members Motion and Several other Committee Reports were presented including two Public Petitions were also considered in the House.

Opposition Parliamentarians Wants Fellow Legislature Punished By Speaker

Opposition Legislature’s Irked by Speaker’s Delay in Punishing Blantyre City Central Temba Mkandawire for Assaulting an Usher

Some of the Members of Opposition in the National Assembly took to task Second Deputy Speaker Hon. Clement Chiwaya over the delay of Speaker’s ‘appropriate action’ towards their fellow honorable member for Blantyre City Central Constituency Themba Mkandawire.

Hon. Mkandawire on Tuesday afternoon immediately the House was suspended for lunch break, assaulted a Parliamentary Usher over a 2015 calendar. The parliamentarian punched and headbutted the Usher, Jones Sabola for refusing to give another calendar.

Lilongwe Mpenu legislature Hon. Leonard Makalangozo expressed worry that as the house expects to rise sine die this Friday, it is apparent that unparliamentarily behavior by hon. Mkandawire will just be let free since the house shall possibly meet in June for another session. He also asked why the speaker is delaying to report to the House what appropriate punishment has been given to Mkandawire.

“As you are aware the matter is being handled by the speaker’s office and the communication shall be made as of what action has been taken.” Said Chiwaya, “So far that decision has not been communicated to us I would therefore like to request that until such decision has been made we proceed with the business.”

The explanation by Second Deputy Speaker did not carry substance to other parliamentarians including Hon. Lingson Belekanyama, a Lilongwe Msinja South parliamentarian who rise on point of order saying “This is a very sad thing which has taken place in this House.” “This is a criminal case!” he added

“This is honorable House, we need to behave exemplary and not come here as boxers fighting in this chamber. And it is very sad to fight, to kick this member off staff…,” he went on “We were supposed to have a committee of inquiry, to inquire on what really transpired for this member of Parliament to punch the member of staff. We cannot condone such behavior in this House…, This is Criminal case!”

“This assault which has taken place in this House needs to be handled with special care, since we are rising tomorrow then we go and wait till sometime in June or July that’s not on, we need this issue be tabled today and tomorrow have a report in this House”

Leader of the House Hon. Francis Kasaila suspended the matter following his call for a meeting with all political party leaders at the speaker’s office immediately the house adjourns to find out what is happening.

MSB Not For Sale

Parliament Block the Sale Until Committee Give a Go Ahead

The National Assembly has passed a motion restraining government from continuing with plans to sale Malawi Savings Bank (MSB) until determination is made by a relevant Committee if the sale of the bank is a necessary move.

On Thursday, Dowa West Parliamentarian Hon Dzonzi Kusamba brought in the House a motion during Private Members Motion where he moved that the House should resolve that the Sale of Malawi Savings Bank Limited be pended for the time being and that the matter be referred to the relevant Committee of Parliament (Budget Committee) for it to consult with stakeholders and report to the House.

When moving the motion, Dzonzi said the noble objectives of Post Office Savings Bank now Malawi Savings Bank Limited (MSB) established in 1910 by the colonial government are intact and yet to be achieved.

“But how can we achieve them if the Bank runs into private hands whose objective will be pure “profiteering”. Inquired hon. Kusamba who alleged the sale of Malawi Saving Bank Limited is propagated by few selfish individuals

Malawi government is planning to sale MSB for Conditionality of World Bank (WB) and International Monetary Fund (IMF), that Malawi Government should not be running businesses such as bank and that MSB Ltd does not meet the requirement of BASEL II instituted by the Reserve Bank of Malawi (a framework that has been put in place to assist banks manage financial risks well by maintaining a certain level of capital, currently a minimum capital for banks at an equivalent of US$5million) 

Dowa West Legislature has argued that WB and IMF condition is “fraudulent” and achaic type of reasoning which denies Government to ably discharge its duties of providing social-economic services to the rural communities which may appear unprofitable in the eyes of private hands. 

On BASEL II, he said MSB meets the minimum capital requirement but slightly falls short to meet the optimum capital requirement in order to meet the prescribed liquidity and capital adequacy ratios. He even indicated that Malawi can do without implementation of BASEL II just like neighboring economies that are stronger and better than Malawi’s economy.

“The question on the same is this “why was BASEL I jumped from implementation? Why is Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM) forcing local banks to comply with BASEL II without an opportunity of orientation BASEL I would have offered.”

Hon. Kusamba also named “Accumulated Bad Debts” as major reasons that is eroding the bank’s Capital. With certainty he pointed “bulk of the bank’s non-performing loans” belong to Mulli Brothers Limited. 

He said the remedy is that Government should intervene by having Mulli Brothers Ltd repay the debt and that the Bank should take over the assets against which Mulli Brothers Limited loan was taken on.

 “It is an open secret, that the Mulli Brothers Ltd was granted the Loan in question when DPP was in power and now that DPP is in power again, the Government wants the Bank sold, Really?” queried the parliamentarian while concluding that there is no need for Malawians lose a National Treasure just because Government “completely lacks any political will” to mitigate on this questionable sale.

When debating the motion, Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe clarified that it is not true that only Muli owe the bank as alleged by the member. He also promised an update of what is happening on that matter.

Goondwe irked members in the House when he mentioned that the matter of selling the bank at this time can only best be handled by lawyers and not National Assembly. “This is a legal matter it is not as easy as you think” 

Without delay, Salima South Parliamentarian hon. Uladi Mussa rise on point of order “The statement from the minister to say parliament is useless leaves a lot to be desired” he said, “Does the Minister know that parliament can impeach president? What is Malawi Savings Bank?”

Surprisingly, Leader of House Hon. Francis Kasaila also registered his support against sale of the bank “We in the business Committee of the house agreed that we need to bring this issue in the House so that the sale of the bank is done in transparent process.” He added that People from his Constituency are also against the sale of the bank.

Other parliamentarians including Salima North West, Jessie Kabwira and Salima Central, Felix Jumbe, in support of the motion as moved by Dowa West, said Malawi has been ranked one of the poorest countries because of such poor decisions which robe citizens “greatest treasure”. 

Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Bill Receives Overwhelming Response: Passed Without Amendment

Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Bill Receives Overwhelming Response: Passed Without Amendment 

The much awaited bill Marriage, Divorce and Family Relations Bill has received irresistible positive reaction from members of National Assembly.

The Bill was presented on Thursday afternoon by Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare hon. Patricia Kaliati. She told the house that the bill seek among others raise the marriage age from 15 to 18 years in order to promote wellbeing of children especially girls who are being married at tender age.

“The bill adds value to the promotion of education and empowerment of children especially the girl child.”

She said girls are continuously facing gender based violence and that Malawi is among 10 countries with the highest child marriage levels in the world currently estimated at 52% which she called the “sad note”

She said this development is ruining the future of girls because of fistula due to teen pregnancies and school dropouts.

Responding to the bill party spokes persons hailed the bill saying it will assist alleviating challenges that women and girls are facing in the country in absence of this legislation.

Malawi Congress Party Spokes person on Gender issues in the National Assembly hon. Jessie Kabwira in her remarks said “It is a longer awaited bill” adding “It declares Malawi’s fight in ending gender violence and early marriages”

She said early marriages are creating a cycle of poverty in the country and it denies girls right to heath, education and on behalf of MCP Kabwira urged all parliamentarians to support this bill in order to make people from their constituencies (those who voted them) to live better life.

Peoples Party Spokes Person hon. Patricia Kainga Nangozo said “PP supports this Bill because it will help this country to ably define who the child is in our own understanding” she added that this will help girls to stay in school and be mature before getting married a development which will help them contribute effectively to the economy.

She also hailed that the bill will protect women during divorce and added “This is a bill to benefit both men and women”

United Democratic Front (UDF) Chief Whip and Spokes Person on gender issues in Parliament hon. Lillian Patel said the party supports the bill.

She said the early child marriages are worse in her constituency “Over 21 girls aged 11 years dropped out of school in a single term at one school. I hope that problem is not only in my constituency, this might as well happen in other constituencies. We have to support this bill”

But she bemoaned that the fees contained in the bill are mean and urged the ministry to change. 

However male MPs expressed dissatisfaction with the level of debate of the bill because no male MP was given an opportunity to hold the floor and very few female MPs spoke on the bill. During the tea break male MPs were heard on top of their voices over dissatisfaction on how the bill has been debated.

The development saw leader of the Opposition in Parliament hon. Dr. Lazarus Chakwera immediately after tea break expressed his dissatisfaction over lack of men’s voice in the chamber.

“I am concerned over procedure of the debate which has been curtailed without men contributing on the bill.” He said “It should have been better to let men to speak on the bill because this is not women issue”

But the bill was passed without amendment. Immediately after the bill was passed the Leader of House Honorable Francis Kasaila thanked all parliamentarians for passing the Bill and announced that the house be adjourned immediately (That time was 16:30 hours) which was 30 minutes earlier to the official adjournment time at 17:00 hours.

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