Parliament To Meet Early In 2017: House Adjourns Sine Die Today

The Malawi National Assembly is expected to meet much earlier next year possibly in February to allow the House do away with the business which could not be finished during the Meeting which has come to an end today.

Malawi Farmers Wants Restructured Agricultural Economy

Prince Kapondamgaga

Malawi farmers have asked Government to demonstrate tangible commitment in restructuring agricultural economy.

Farmers Union of Malawi (FUM) Chief Executive Officer, Prince Kapondamgaga made the appeal on Tuesday at the opening ceremony of Farmers Policy Conference and Farmers Union of Malawi 12^th Annual Congress in Lilongwe.

2016/17 Budget Meeting Of Parliament Meeting Ends

The Third Meeting in the 46th Session of Parliament has ended this evening after meeting for 9 consecutive weeks to consider the 2016/2017 Budget.

National Assembly meeting which began on Friday, May 20 was initially planned to end last week on Friday, July 8, 2016 but due to delays during the passing of Budget, Government decided to extend the meeting time to allow the House discuss and pass bills.

Confirmed; National Assembly Meeting Extended

Msowoya announced the extension of time 

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Richard Msowoya and Leader of House, George Chaponda have finally confirmed that the house will continue meeting up until Friday next week.

Budget Meeting Of National Assembly Extended To Next Week

Impeccable sources have disclosed that it is more likely that the National Assembly will continue meeting up until next week as the ongoing 3rd Meeting of 46th Session of Parliament for budget was expected to end this Friday after meeting for a period of eight weeks.

Sources at Parliament say a recent meeting resolved extension of the Meeting up to next week.

No Hope For ATI This Friday

There is little hope that the much awaited Access to Information Bill will be debated this Meeting of the National Assembly as the 3rd Meeting of 46th Session for Budget ends this Friday afternoon.

Leader of House, George Chaponda also has since expressed doubt that the bill will be discussed on Friday saying there are so many important bills on the Order Paper.

2016/17 Budget Increased To K1.149 Trillion Now Passed

Goodall: Presented Budget on 27 May 2016

The 2016/17 National Budget has been passed on Thursday night by the National Assembly but the budget figure has now been increased to K1. 149 trillion from K1.140 trillion following the introduction of new budgetary allocation vote for the Greenbelt Initiative and increment made to Department of Human Resource Management and Development by K7.7 billion

Greenbelt Initiative which has just been created by Government is a new vote which has received an allocation of K300 million. It was omitted on the Order Paper until it appeared on Thursday night when Government presented Supplementary Order Paper.

Water Scarcity Hits Parliament: Force Early Adjournment

Deputy Speaker of the Malawi National Assembly, Esther Mcheka Chilenje on Wednesday evening adjourned the House earlier than agreed time citing health grounds as taps runs dry at the Parliament.

The adjournment that happened at 18:44 hours left Leader of House, George Chaponda and his fellow cabinet ministers gob smacked as it happened just after Government had successfully won the motion to extend the sitting time for the Committee of Supply to last night hours.

FISP Allocation Increased By K3.5 Billion

Government has increased budgetary allocation to the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (FISP) with K3.5 billion raising the figure from initial K31. 4 billion to K34.9 billion.

Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development informed the Committee of Supply that the increment has been made following increase in the market price of fertilizer commodity.

Govt Punishes MPs; Worked Till Night On Tuesday

Leader of House in the National Assembly, George Chaponda on Tuesday forced Members of Parliament to work till the night hours following prolonged debates that caused delays in passing the budgetary allocation made to each various Government ministries and departments.

Normally, the National Assembly is adjourned at 17:00 hours each sitting day, however, this was not the case on Tuesday as the House sitting hours were extended till late in order to recover the lost time during the day.

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.

Chimwendo Banda Ready To Prove Cabinet Ministers Got K5 Million OPC Loans

Hon. Chimwendo

Honorable Member for Dowa East Richard Chimwendo Banda is on Wednesday afternoon expected to bring evidence that cabinet ministers took K5 million loan from Office of President and Cabinet (OPC).

His disclosure came in the House when legislatures are demanding Government to approve their delaying General Purpose Fund (GPF) loans of K5 million each which they are supposed to repay between now and 2019. However, Government maintains that with economic challenges the country is going through, it will not be possible to approve the MPs loans.

Leader of House, George Chaponda caused hon. Chimwendo to spill the beans when Chaponda accused the opposition members being selfish for their insistence to discuss the future of their condition of service and not to deliberate on the budget.

Honorable Chimwendo Banda then told the House on Tuesday afternoon that he has evidence that all cabinet ministers got K5 million loan from OPC which includes K1 million for hotel accommodation, K1 million for furniture and another for duty free cars. He added that ministers also draw K45 thousand a day when attending Presidential function.

He therefore expressed concern that Chaponda remarks were unfair to the opposition members and had intent to create bad picture to the public that one side of the house is interested in petty issues rather than focus on national concerns.

Deputy Speaker of National Assembly, Esther Mcheka Chilenje invoked Standing Order 102 requiring the legislator to provide evidence after Minister of Labor, Youth and Man Power who is also Government Chief Whip, Henry Mussa, requested the Deputy Speaker to order the member to bring evidence.

However, several cabinet ministers stood to protest against Hon Chimwendo's alleged evidence and denied to have obtained such a loan from the OPC.

Other Cabinet Ministers including Home Affairs minister, Jappie Mhango and Health Minister, Peter Kumpalume threatened Chimwendo to provide “only evidence that proves that all” cabinet ministers took the alleged loan.

As the house was in uproar state legislator for Nkhatabay Central, Raphael Mhone rising on Point of Order brought in suggestion that OPC ought to bring the information of details of ministers who took loans since that is a public document and not to ask member for Dowa East to bring that matter in the House. This suggestion was seconded by the Kasunu East legislator, Elias Wakuda Kamanga but Deputy Speaker, Esther Chilenje never ruled on this since there was no order in the House which forced her to suspend the proceedings to allow members to sober up.

Since Monday, members from opposition side have been requesting the Minister of Finance to express himself on reasons why the legislators are not up to this day receiving their General Purpose Fund loan which includes K1 million for emergency and K3 million general purpose advance loan.

The legislators are mainly concerned that since their five year term is closer to an end obtaining such loan later and with 40 percent current rates banks are charging they will be heavily taxed.

On Tuesday, the House was suspended twice following disagreement over the same issue and Minister of Finance Goodall Gondwe has been discussing with the Welfare Committee on the matter.

Khumbo Asks Chaponda To Have Listening Ear

Former Vice President and Member of Parliament for Mzimba South West, Khumbo Kachali has asked Government Ministers to listen to constructive views being suggested by some opposition legislators in ongoing National Assembly Meeting.

Kachali was reacting to Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development George Chaponda's outburst when Chitipa North legislator James Munthali said the agriculture minister has failed in his duties for not starting now the implementation of some of the measures that the ministry has put in place to avert hunger.

The former Agriculture Minister Hon James Munthali member for Chitipa North asked why Government has not started distribution of Treadle pumps, seeds and fertilizers now to avert hunger other than to wait, because the water is still available so that people can start to utilize this.

George Chaponda, Minister of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development also Leader of House responded with rants  by outburstly reminded Munthali that he as former agriculture minister failed during his time to rescue Malawians from hunger situation and that even maize rotten at National Food Reserve Agency when Malawians were facing hunger.

Mzimba South West Legislator, former Vice President, Khumbo Hastings Kachali who took the floor on point of order asked Chaponda to listen to views and not being political.

“So, it was unfortunate for the sitting Minister of Agriculture instead of taking note of the friendly advice he actually was saying no, why couldn’t you do it when you were in Government." noted Kachali in an interview 

"My concern was, we in opposition we have to give constructive ideas. And this was an idea from former minister of Agriculture. Instead of taking note and going back to the drawing board and say yes indeed we are late. But the sitting minister of agriculture is talking politics.” lamented Kachali

So, he said "that is what made me to stand up and say no, Government is a continuous process, and the challenges that we are facing now they are not only challenges for those members that are in the Government but for Malawians that is both in Government and in opposition."

He continued "Malawians are suffering; this time around there is no food, so we all have to bang our heads and find solution and here is an advice a solution let us start now. So my humble request is Government should also listen when opposition members are giving advice.”

He then hoped that his fellow cabinet ministers should advise Dr. Chaponda to have a listening ear and begin to take advices.

President Mutharika Invites American Companies To Invest In Malawi: Meets Six US Congressmen

As Malawi continues to market to the global community its endowed resources and investiment opportunities, President Peter Mutharika on Friday asked American investors to come and invest in Malawi.

Mutharika was speaking in Lilongwe when meeting with a Six member delegation of Republican Senators and Representatives from the United States of America who were on five hour visit to Malawi. The members of Congress are on their trip to some African Countries.

Mutharika informed the Congressmen that there are investment opportunities in Malawi that the country is seeking investors from around the globe. He therefore invited American Investors to come to explore opportunities in Malawi and also to participate in the second Malawi Investment Forum to be hosted later this year in October.

"We are hosting the second Malawi Investment Forum this year possibly on 11th October and it will be bigger. So I would like to call American companies to come" said Mutharika

He said Malawi is wooing investors across the globe because this is one way that will make the country to move away from donor dependece to an economically independent nation.

"We want to move away from aid dependency to economic independence" said Mutharika further expressing hope that through its investiment goals Malawi will attain economic independence in few years time

Malawi leader also thanked American Government through the delegation for continued support to Malawi Government in areas of human rights, economy, energy, and peace and security through bilateral and multilateral support. 

He further thanked US Government for the support in the fight against HIV and AIDS. He mentioned that US government has been influential in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Malawi and expressed hope and determination that through such support Malawi will achieve ending the pandemic by 2030. He addes that the country has already demonstrated its willingness to achieve this by putting many people on ART treatment and being the first country to adopt Option B+. 

He further thanked American Government for the humanitarian assistance to Malawians who experience floods that hit most parts of the country early last year. 

"United States of America continues to to play an instrumental role in Africa and Malawi." Added President Mutharika

Senator James Inhofe, a ranking member senate of armed services Committee said the visit to Malawi was to appreciate number of achievements the country is making.

Inhofe added that USA Government consider Malawi as one of its strong friend.

US Ambassador to Malawi Virginia Palmer hinted that the coming of these Senators was also to appreciate the impact of US government assistance to Malawi.

The five hour visit to Malawi  by the delegation had first stop-over in Tanzania and are proceeding to Rwanda and Ethiopia.

The six Congressmen are: U.S. Senator James Inhofe R-OK, a ranking member on the Senate Armed Services Committee; Mike Enzi R. WY, Republican leader of the Sub Committee on Children and Families; Mike Rounds, Services on the Senate Armed Services; Rep. Randy Hultgren, Services on the Financial and Science, Space and Technology Committees; Rep. Tim Welberg and Rep. Reid Ribble.

China For Malawi’s Economic Independence

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi said China will continue to support Malawi to gain full economic independence.

Honorable Wang Yi, was speaking at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Sunday during an audience with Malawi President Peter Mutharika.

Mutharika Travels With Lean Entourage To Malta, UK, Juberg

Mutharika: traveling with few delegation 

Government says a lean delegation will accompany the President on his trip to Malta, United Kingdom and South Africa as the country continue to criticize the president for making outside travels while the country’s economy continues to slip.

Malawi Benefits From Disaster Risk Reduction UN Conference

The Malawi government is certain that the level of harm caused by this year’s worst flash floods would be significantly reduced if similar floods happen again anytime in future.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation hon Dr. George Chaponda has uttered the comment following his return from Japan where he attended the Third UN Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction where among other things he said, Malawi has learn a lot from other countries that had similar experience of floods.

The conference, reviewed progress made in the implementation of Hyogo Framework of Action (HFA) and to consider and adopt its successor, Post-2015 Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction. 

Speaking on Thursday evening at a Press Conference at Capital Hill, Chaponda emphasized that it was necessary for Malawi to attend the summit following recent experience of floods which has left over 230 thousand people displaced as well as damages on property, crops and infrastructure.

“It became necessary to see what we would learn from this UN conference and also share experience with other countries that have been experiencing these issues.” He said, and assured that “It was a good learning experience”

“Agreement from the frameworks will help us to develop resilient measures so that when similar disaster happens again, we should not experience deaths and other serious damages” said Chaponda

The Foreign Affairs Minister, explained that the UN summit has given Malawi an opportunity to among others adopt new techniques on building good houses that can withstand flooding water, measures in dealing with affected people and use of modern metrological technologies that can detect and give early warnings of disaster occurrences.

He added that through JAICA, the Japanese government plans to assist Malawi in dealing with issues of water movements particularly in some parts of Lower Shire which are frequent with floods.

According to Chaponda, the conference also adopted the first major agreement of the Post-2015 Development Agenda, a far-reaching new framework for disaster risk reduction with seven targets which if successfully implemented, countries will achieve a substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives, livelihoods and health.

Some of the targets are a substantial reduction in; global disaster mortality, numbers of affected people, damage to critical infrastructure and disruption of basic services; increased access to multi-hazard early warning systems and disaster information and assessments as well as enhanced international cooperation.

After attending the conference, Chaponda had several meetings with companies and governments where he invited them to assist and invest in Malawi.

After finishing his business in Japan, the Minister went to Namibia where he attended inauguration ceremony of President Hage Geingob.