Catholic Journalists Trained In COVID-19 Reporting Skills

Group photo for the second cluster
of journalits during the training

Members of Association for Catholic Journalists (ACJ) from Lilongwe Arch Diocese and Dedza Diocese have been trained on reporting skills on the COVID-19 pandemic caused by the coronavirus.

MISA Malawi Asks President Mutharika To Address Continued Harassment On Media

MISA Malawi Chapter has written President Peter Mutharika to make a public denouncement of acts of violence on journalists by his ruling party and police.

MISA Malawi Chairperson Teresa Ndanga said there is continued hostility towards the media through assault and intimidation by members of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), United Democratic Front (UDF), police and some members of general public.

Selector Radio To Strengthen Cultural Relations Between Malawi, UK

Katie Weatherall

The British Council, has assured Malawians that the Selector Radio program set to hit airwaves on Capital FM will strengthen cultural relations between Malawi and the UK.

“People in Malawi can expect from Selector that there will be ways of finding connections between UK music and Malawi music.” Disclosed Katie Weatherall, Selector Radio Programme Manager and British Council Music Programme Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa

BBC Radio 1Xtra Presenter Jamz Supernova In Malawi to Launch Selector

Jamz Supernova
Arrives in Lilongwe

One of UK’s leading next generation DJ, Jamz Supernova, who hosts a weekly show on BBC Radio 1Xtra, is in the country to launch the Selector Radio program.

Through Selector show, Jamz shares the best new UK music with the world and the program is syndicated to over 30 countries around the world and it boasts of a global youthful audience of over 4million listeners. 

British Council To Launch Selector Radio Program In Malawi

Jamz Supernova to
partner local DJs

The British Council in Malawi has announced that it will launch Selector Radio program in the country this week.

Selector Radio shares the best new UK music with the world and the program is syndicated to over 30 countries around the world including Cuba, China, Zimbabwe, Spain and Mexico and has a global youthful audience of over 4 million listeners.

Access to Information Bill Passed

The much anticipated Access to Information Bill has finally been passed by the Malawi National Assembly Wednesday night.

MISA Malawi 2016 Transparency Assessment: BCC Gets Golden Key Award As Ministry of Health Gets Padlock Trophy

Malawi Members of press  in 2014 holding peaceful march
calling for ATI enactment

Blantyre City Council (BCC) has received the Golden Key Award for MISA Malawi 2016 Transparency Assessment while Ministry of Health is this year’s recipient of the Golden Padlock Award.

Access To Information Bill Finally Presented In Parliament

Access to Information Bill (ATI) has finally been presented in the National Assembly today.

Minister of Information, Patricia Kaliati presented the bill which has since been referred to the Parliamentary Committee on Media, Information and Communication and Legal Affairs Committee.

Malawi Midwives Ready To Tell Own Stories

About 30 midwives across the country have been equipped with citizen journalism skills to help them write and report their daily work experiences for the public to see the correct picture of their tireless efforts of saving lives and prevailing working conditions.

The initiative championed by the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe motherhood is headway in uplifting the Malawi midwifery profile and documenting the outstanding work which mostly go unnoticed as they are only featured highly whenever they make a mistake.

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.

Malawi Communications Law Now Responds To New Developments

Kaliati: this will lead to communication improvement 

The National Assembly on Tuesday has repealed Communications Act of 1998 and replaced it with Bill No. 24 of 2015: Communications which responds to vast changes, upgrades and development in the Communications Sector which rendered the repealed law somehow irrelevant.

New bill has been passed after several consultations and lengthy scrutiny by the Committee on Media, Information and Communications, in which the bill was referred to following its debate in the House on March 1, 2016 after it was brought by the Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Civic Education.  

CHRR, Cedep Cautions Legislatures On ATI Bill

Trapence and Mtambo

Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre for Development of People (Cedep) warns Legislatures not to pass Access to Information Bill (ATI) in its present form saying it is adulterated bill.

A statement reacting to President Peter Mutharika State of National Address, from the two organisations says presently, grey areas in the Access to Information bill include: Scrapping of a provision that information holders should disclose information in the public interest such as unauthorised use of public funds; The introduction of fees for Malawians to access to information; and the Removal of provision which would have enabled people to demand information before the law was enacted

The ATI bill will be officially presented in the National Assembly for tabling by Information Minister during this Third Meeting of 46th Session of Parliament, to consider the 2016/2017 National Budget.

Timothy Mtambo and Gift Trapence executive directors for CHRR and Cedep respectively,  expressed in a the Statement today that " In the first place, CHRR and Cedep commend the President for indicating that the long-awaited Access to Information Bill would be tabled in Parliament within the session. We, at CHRR and Cedep, however, would like to reiterate our calls on parliamentarians to exercise democratic maturity by addressing all the undemocratic elements in the adulterated bill to reflect the spirit and purpose of the bill in a Malawian democracy."

They mentioned that they find the mentioned grey areas a regrettable attempt by government to render the Access to Information law toothless in this democratic dispensation. 

"The law, if enacted in its gazetted version, will fall short of addressing key issues such as Cashgate as well as other forms of power-abuse, among other vices." Adds the statement  

Among others the statement from CHRR and Cedep further call Government to go an extra mile in expediting prosecuting cases involving cash-gate and people with albinisms.

On cases involving people with albinisms, CHRR and Cedep bemoaned that cases of abductions and killings of people with albinism continue to escalate at alarming rate regardless of the recent stiffer sentences Courts are handing to convinced criminals.

"All this points to the fact that more needs to be done." Observe the statement suggesting that Malawi Police Service (MPS) and community relationship is key to prevention of abduction, exhumation and killing of people with albinism. 

"Government through MPS ought to strengthen its community outreach structures such as community policing in dealing with the vice" adds the statement 

The statement further calls upon parliamentarians to exercise democratic maturity and patriotism as they conduct their deliberations on behalf of Malawians who are facing numerous challenges in their daily lives.

Malawians Are Free To Express Their Opinion- World Press Freedom Panelists

Five panelists for this years World Press Freedom Day celebrations have concurred  that Malawians are now enjoying freedom of expression.

Each year on 3rd May, Journalists commemorate World Press Freedom Day but this years celebrations took place on Saturday 7th May 2016 in Mangochi.

During the debate titled "Freedom of Expression In Malawi; Progress Challenges, and Way Forward, panelists comprised of executive member for Media Institute for Southern Africa (MISA) Malawi chapter and Nation Publication Journalist, Suzgo Khunga, Elard Manjawila from University of Malawi-The Polytechnic, Emmanuel Kondowe from UNESCO, Edward Monster, US Embassy Public Affairs, and Justin Saidi, Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communications Technology and Civic Education both agreed that for the past few years Malawians are freely expressing themselves on various matters.

Elard Manjawila said Malawians at the moment are enjoying freedom of expression and that they are able to freely express themselves in various matters and this was later echoed by Sugzo Khunga who who agreed that indeed freedom of expression which is enshrined in the Constitution of Republic of Malawi is guaranteed in the country.

"Yes, am truly impressed with freedom of expression in Malawi" added Edward Monster, of US Embassy Public Affairs who cited that during his stay in the country he has seen and heard Malawians freely speaking to issues that matter to them unlike other countries where citizens are being prevented from expressing themselves.

On challenges and way forward, panelists highlighted existence of several laws that still restricts Journalists from conducting their job without fear and have asked Government to among others enact Access to Information Bill (ATI) and also called upon Malawians to take responsibility of safeguarding the rights and freedom of expression.

Justin Saidi, Principal Secretary for the Ministry of Information, Communications Technology and Civic Education who agreed with fellow panelists of existence of freedom of expression in the country further mentioned that the country is "making headway" in terms of guaranteeing freedom of expression.

Saidi said there is political will and Government will continue to ensure that Malawians are enjoying freedom of expression. 

He indicated that for the first time and after long time, Government has now taken the ATI to Parliament which is a sign that Government wants Malawians to enjoy freedom of expression as well as access to information from Government.

He further called upon Journalists to work together with Government while assuring that Government will not no intimidate Journalists.

Before holding debate, Journalists drawn from across the country held freedom march from Mangochi filling station to Fort Johnston at the roundabout near Lake Malawi Bridge, the event which attracted attention from onlookers along the streets.

Malawi Govt. Ready To Prevent, Manage Diabetes

Dr. Kaponda

Malawi says it is prepared to fight diabetes which at present affects nearly 6% of the country's population.

Dr. Kaponda Masiye Programme Manager for Non-Communicable Diseases and Mental Health in the Ministry of Health said diabetes remains a big issue and therefore the Ministry has put in place number of measures including trainings for health personnel's on management and prevention of diabetes.

"When it comes to Malawi, diabetes is a big issue. There was a study that was done in 2009 which showed that around 5.6% Malawians are diabetic. So, if you look at this figure in a country where we have a population of about 17 million, it is a big figure.” he said

"Government has a fully fledged working non-communicable disease and mental health unit. This unit is well prepared, because what we have done right now is that we have a project that is funded by World Diabetes Foundation where we are training health workers on how to diagnose, how to manage, prevent and control diabetes.” He explained

He mentioned that trainings have been conducted in the Northern Region of the country and they are now beginning trainings in the Central Region. He estimated that 1000 health workers will get training by the end of the project where they will be able to manage the diseases once they come into health facilities.

“As a country, as Government of Malawi we are ready in detecting and managing and even preventing diabetes.”

Journalists also were trained on diabetes 

On Tuesday, Malawi Government in collaboration with World Health Organization also conducted workshop for Journalists on issues around diabetes to enable them give correct awareness messages as the World on 7th April,  commemorates World Health Day with the theme: Beat Diabetes.

ATI Tabling Fail Again; Information Minister Rushed To Hospital

Mhango: Sick 

Minister of Information rushed to the hospital and fails to present the much awaited and promised Access to Information bill.

Leader of House Francis Kasaila informed the House this Friday morning when the House resumed sitting after health break to continue debate on prioritized bills that the Minister responsible to deliver the bill was sick and has been taken to hospital.

Minister who was expected to deliver the bill is Jappie Mhango Minister of Information.

Kasaila said there was nobody to present the bill on his behalf and therefore asked the House to continue with other bills and business of the House.

However, Kasaila did not disclose the seriousness of his sickness. But said this means the bill will come in the House in May Meeting

Kasaila on Wednesday and Thursday did promise that the bill will by all means be presented between Thursday and Friday.

uptdate

When asked in an interview of how seriously ill is Mhango, Kasaila replied “That’s the information that I have, that he is not feeling oky today.

The information that I have is that the minister was coming to the House but on his way he felt that he was not feeling Oky and he had to go to the hospital so we were hoping that may be he will be here after visiting the hospital but it did not happen that way.”

Asked why they failed to allow Justice Minister or to delegate other ministers to present the bill, Kasaila explained that the Government side got report of Jappies illness during the healthy break and therefore there was no other cabinet Minister who was ready to present and answer question pertaining to the bill. He added that it was also difficult to that time to request for the bill and delegate other cabinet members.

He hoped that the bill will be back in the House in May meeting of the National Assembly

Richard Chimwendo: There was commitment 

Through several assurances Government made to have the bill tabled in the House between Thursday and today, hopes were build in the hearts of many Malawians including Legislatures themselves that the bill will by all means be tabled.

Such hopes, prompted Dowa East legislature Richard Chimwendo Banda to stand as the House was about to adjourn Sine Die to ask Speaker to get clarification why the House is about to adjourn yet the much awaited bill is not coming.

"There was commitment that the bill will come in this House" he reminded the House and made emphasis that under situation at hand Government should have used collective responsibility by delegating a cabinet minister to present the bill.

ATI Tabling Today

Malawi National Assembly is expected to debate the long awaited Access to Information Bill (ATI) today before the House rise Sine Die.

The debate on the ATI will be historical following years of waiting by many Malawians to see the bill going to parliament and debated. 

On Thursday evening before the house was adjourned for today, Francis Kasaila, Leader of House in the National Assembly made promise to the House that the business of today will prioritise the Access to Information bill together with other Land Bills.

Kasaila

“I thought I should just remind my honorable colleagues that tomorrow Government will prioritise the processing of other land bills… and there after bill number 1 of 2016 (Access to Information bill) ” 

Today, Friday, March 18th 2016 is the very last sitting day of the ongoing 2nd Meeting in the 46th Session of National Assembly and the next meeting will possibly be in May or June later this year. 

Similar promise was made on Wednesday by Kasaila in an interview after the House was adjourned early to allow members to prepare for tight business of Thursday. He indicated that since the House failed to meet for two sitting days as legislatures were mourning Mchinji West legislature, late Billy Kanjira, the business of the remaining two sitting days, Thursday and Friday will prioritise bills which among them is ATI bill.

But he did mention that most of the bills including the ATI will be passed during the Meeting of the National Assembly in May or June later this year. He explained that this is so because once the bills are introduced in the House today, will be required to go through relevant committees for thorough scrutiny and further consultations and after those committees reports back their findings to the House, then the process to debate and pass the bill will resume.

Other bills to be prioritized today are; Land Survey, Customary Land, Lands Acquisition and International Fund for Agricultural Development (Programme for Rural Irrigation Development) Loan (Authorisation).

Mama Ye Project Call Media To Prop Up Efforts In Maternal, Newborn Survival

Mama Ye Project has called on Media to keep alive issues of maternal and newborn survival for the country to continue registering progress.

Chatuluka

Country Project Leader of Mama Ye Campaign, Mathias Chatuluka made the call at a two day media orientation workshop on Thursday, aimed at equipping Journalists at national level to understand current situation of Maternal and Newborn and the interventions being carried out and in turn help to amplify the work of the MamaYe Campaign in Malawi.

Chatuluka said media is a key strategic partner in promoting survival of mothers and newborn.

He said media can play its role by reporting positive stories that highlights the progress in maternal and newborn survival through number of interventions by Government and various institutions including Mama Ye campaign.

He observed that at present, media is not giving much attention to issues of maternal and newborn and as such it is "rare to find such stories on front pages" in newspaper articles.

But Chatuluka encouraged the media to publicize positively the achievements being made on maternal and infant mortality and encourage safe motherhood.

Chatuluka highlighted that Maternal mortality rate in Malawi stands at 574 per 100,000 live births, a significant improvement from the situation ten years before when the mortality rate was 984.

He said improvements are partly owing to a number of factors including improved coverage for antenatal care by skilled health personnel. 

However, he said gaps still exist in terms of poorly equipped facilities, long distances to a health facility, inadequate human resources and insufficient funding.

But he said The Evidence4Action MamaYe Campaign has been working on a number of parameters to address the gaps and that most of its interventions are producing significant results which are helping in the reduction of maternal and infant deaths.

Malawi To Enact ATI Bill Once Inconsistencies Are Corrected-President Mutharika

President Peter Mutharika maintains that his Government is going to enact Access to Information Bill (ATI) after all inconsistencies in the bill are resolved. 

He was speaking during the meeting with Media Council of Malawi and Media Owners at Kamuzu Palace in the capital city, Lilongwe on Thursday who engaged him on the progress of ATI Bill.

The bill was previously rejected by cabinet after noting some inconsistencies and was referred to Cabinet Committee on Legal Constitution to resolve the problem. Meanwhile Minister of Justice and Constitution Affairs, Samuel Tembenu says the bill has been finalized and will be taken to back to cabinet soon.

When responding to media plea that the bill needs to be enacted, President Mutharika reiterated that it is his wish to see the bill enacted. But he repeated sentiments made last year, that two major inconsistencies in the bill, Sections such as: 6(2) and 3(1) are most problematic areas that were being resolved so that, once enacted, the bill should be free of inconsistencies. 

Mutharika said Section 6(2) which reads “Any law enacted after the commencement of this Act which restricts the rights and obligations provided for in this Act, shall have no effect.” actually restricts future parliament from repealing the law and said this is against sovereignty of the parliament of repealing and passing any law.

Section 3(1) reads; “This Act shall apply to information in the custody or under the control of any public body, relevant private body or other information holders listed in the Schedule hereto regardless of whether such information came into existence before the commencement of this Act.”

On this section, President Mutharika explained that the provision is retrogressive because it seeks to obtain information which originated back before the existence of the bill. He said this is against principle of common law (ex post facto law) which prohibits application of the legislation to things that happened it was adopted. 

“There is no way” he emphasized “and I cannot accept to assent the bill which its sections are inconsistence with the principle of common law.” 

Without specifying dates he said cabinet is meeting where the bill will be discussed and after approval it will be taken to National Assembly for tabling but he underlined that enactment of the bill will not be as the result of pressure from anybody or conditionality of donor aid from development partners. 

“This Government will not accept ultimatums, no more ultimatums. Let’s act in fair and respectful manner” said Mutharika

“Should your Cabinet gloss over inconsistencies in the intended Law just because everyone is pressurising us? Will you not be the first people to say we made a bad law when the problems begin to surface? Should we overlook addressing the anticipated challenges that will face implementation because the media fraternity and donors are giving the Government of Malawi ultimatums” inquires Mutharika

Earlier, Media Council of Malawi Chairperson, Wiseman Chijere Chirwa noted the importance of the bill to both media and all Malawians.

Chirwa, said Government needs to enact the bill in order to help media to easily access to information from Government. 

The Media Council chairperson, underlined that failure to enact the bill will fuel unfavorable costs which includes creation of an environment for corruption, lack of accountability as well as lack of public trust into public officers.

President Mutharika rejected Media Council proposal that using his executive powers, the President should reject “adulterated” Bill which went to Cabinet, instead approve the “original” version of the bill which was formulated through duly consultative process. Mutharika argued that him alone cannot change “collective decisions” made by cabinet.

After the meeting, Chijere Chirwa said media council was happy that they finally met president and were explained in detail why the bill is facing delays but was quick to mention that media council is waiting to see how Government will reconcile media concerns and the problems raised by President.

During the meeting, Minister of Justice and Constitution Affairs, Samuel Tembenu assured the media that the bill before cabinet is not adulterated document but they are only trying to sort out problems with some provisions and further promised that the refined bill will be the best law in Africa.

President Mutharika Was Incorrect On Provision In ATI Bill

Trapence and Mtambo

It is now proven that President Peter Mutharika erred to claim that Access to Information (ATI) Bill has provision which bars National Assembly from reviewing the legislation once enacted.

Two renowned Civil Society Organizations, Centre for Development of People (Cedep) and Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) have since faulted the Malawi leader saying they never came across such provision in the drat bill.

Peter Mutharika

President Mutharika told Journalists on Monday at Kamuzu Palace that the ATI bill has number of inconsistencies including two provisions which says; once enacted the law will cover any information that happened before its enactment (Against common law principle that the law takes effect on matters happening the day it is signed) and that “in future” no parliament can ever repeal the law.

But according to a statement from the Cedep and CHRR signed by its executive directors, Gift Trapence and Timothy Mtambo respectively, they have possession of the draft bill which the President quoted but never came across a clause which says Parliament shall not have the power to repeal the Access to Information law.

“It is equally significant that President was able to highlight some of the “inconsistencies” in the Bill during the press conference. We, at CHRR and Cedep, however, wonder where the ‘inconsistencies’ the President highlighted during the press briefing came from. We have the draft Access to Information Bill and have never come across a clause which says Parliament shall not have the power to repeal the Access to Information law.  The Access to Information Bill we have was informed by progressive model laws on access to information.” Reads the statement

Cedep and CHRR believe the inconsistency claims were mare lies and tactics to delay enactment of the legislation.

The two CSOs have therefore challenged government to publish all the said “inconsistencies” for the public to appreciate them in addition to publicize the ATI Bill, once all the ‘ironing out’ and ‘aligning’ of the bill with other laws is done, before tabling it in the National Assembly.

“This would enable citizens and other stakeholders to check if there are any adulterations in the Bill.  Otherwise, we are bound to believe that the President is simply buying cheap public sympathy to justify the delay in enacting the bill.” Said Cedep and CHRR

“Given the culture of secrecy on how government is run, compounded a recent background of plunder of resources, Malawians  can simply ill afford to have an adulterated piece of legislation that will fall short filling its democratic space. Malawians need a law that will add value to democracy.” Claims the statement

Cedep and CHRR statement further said the President was undemocratic to state that he is not going to take deadlines from Malawians. The CSO's says as an employee of the electorate, the President must be accommodative enough, fully cognizant that it is within the citizens rights to issue deadlines to their demands especially on matters that require urgent address by his leadership.

Reading the draft ATI bill in question we never found the provision which President Peter Mutharika claimed that “in future” no parliament can ever repeal the law  

Indeed, President Mutharika was right to mention that in the current ATI Draft Bill grant access to information even that existed before the legislation was signed according to Chapter 3 on the application of the legislation  

                 “3. - (1) This Act shall apply to information in the custody or under the control of any public body, relevant private body or other information holders listed in the Schedule hereto regardless of whether such information came into existence  before the commencement of this Act  

     However, “(2) This Act shall not apply to the following information: Cabinet records and those of its committees; court records prior to conclusion of a matter; and information excluded from publication under the Official Secrets Act; and personal information.”

Mutharika made the error on the Bill when speaking to Journalist at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Monday evening following his return on December 6 from Malta, UK and South Africa where he went to attend to Summit and hold number of bilateral talks.

President Mutharika continued to make his promise of taking Access to Information Bill to National Assembly but this time around says this will happen "at some point" in this 46th Session of National Assembly.

He said his Government is through Cabinet Committee on Legal matters is resolving inconsistencies which prevented the bill from being taken to just ended First Meeting of 46th Session of the National Assembly as promised.c7

BMC, Parliament Want ATI Bill Enactment In the Upcoming Meeting

Chakwera (middle)

Leader of Opposition in Parliament, and Media, Information and Communications Committee of Parliament says will lobby for enactment of the much waited Access to Information Bill (ATI) during upcoming meeting of Parliament.

Members of the Bwaila Media Club (BMC), on Wednesday had an audience with Leader of Opposition Hon. Lazarus Chakwera, sought his support in pushing for the tabling of the bill and objectively pass it amid delay ‘tactics’ from Government to take the bill to the upcoming Meeting of Parliament.

Few weeks ago in Salima, President Peter Mutharika promised to take the bill to the First Meeting of the 46th Session of Parliament which begins this Friday saying all the processes were finalized. This pronouncement was reiterated by Minister of Information Jappie Mhango during the recent meeting of some Cabinet Ministers and Members of Civil Society in Lilongwe.

However, the promises are unlikely to be met now as Leader of House in the National Assembly, Francis Kasaila disclosed to Journalist on Monday in Lilongwe that the bill still awaits final inspection by Cabinet. He said it is not on the list of the business for the next Meeting of National Assembly.

Hon Samuel Kawale and Chakwera

Chakwera shared BMC concern over the delays by Government to take the bill to parliament and promised to “Seriously” take the responsibility of encouraging all members from his party and others in opposition on how they can help push for the tabling of the bill.

“I would say that am with you” he said, “The message you brought has been received and warmly so. And that if Lord willing we should even incorporate your concerns in some of things that we say”

The Opposition leader also underscored that Access to Information Bill is very important.

He said the bill empowers people to have information that is needed in order for them to appreciate what their own government is doing. And that with comprehensive view of what is happening they are able to make informed decisions.

“Let information that the public needs to have be made available. Not just on demand… but when such is needed however, there should be a backing of the law that says you have that right to access that information.” said Chakwera

“We are with you.” He affirmed “I am particularly would love for the information to be available to anyone because issues of accountability and transparency are important to us all” added the opposition leader with emphasis that information is critical in an age “like ours”

Hon Samuel Kawale

In his remarks Chairperson for the Media, Information and Communications Committee of Parliament, Samuel Kawale, said was “disappointed and discouraged” to learn that Government is keeping on delaying the bill which has stalled for so many years.

“If there were issues that needed to be addressed they should have been brought earlier on, so that we sit down again, talk over them and make sure that all the grey areas are sorted out” he said

“As Committee, our major task from now on, is to work alongside with media houses and other stakeholders to lobby government to make sure that this bill is tabled in parliament and passed into law” assured Kawale

Meanwhile, leader of the Bwaila Media Club delegation, Steve Chilundu has expressed his profound gratitude for the promising remarks from the Leader of Opposition Lazarus Chakwera and the Chairperson for the Media, Information and Communications of Parliament.

Chilundu said BMC will continue to meet with various stakeholders to ask them lobby government to table and pass the Access to Information Bill during the Meeting of National Assembly which begins this week.

Bwaila Media Club has also issued a statement expressing concern over, government recent ambiguity and dilly dallying in its commitment to table and pass the bill.