Malawi Journalists Forms Press Gallery Committee

A Press Gallery Committee for Malawi Journalists has been established in the National Assembly which among others it is expected to promote professionalism in parliamentary reporting and handle matters related to their day to day operations.

The Office for the Public Relations of Malawi National Assembly facilitated the establishment of the Committee having noted a long absence of platform responsible for handling issues concerning the parliamentary reporters and Parliament.

Chief Public Relations Officer for Malawi National Assembly, Mr. Leonard Mengezi says following the establishment of the committee, Parliament expects positive relationship as well as cemented partnership and trust between media and parliament.

He said it was sad to note that there has not been a formal plat form given to Journalists to discuss issues with Parliament although there have been several developments in parliament that required a special fora to handle such matters.

Mengezi mentioned several developments especially negative reporting and conduct of Journalists as some of the key issues “We call members of the media to capture information whenever there is an event but, if there is any misinformation or disruption of facts, you find that the media will always be blamed yet there is no any formal way of how we can discuss such issues.” He said

He then expressed hope that the newly formed Press Gallery Committee will provide a formal grouping where number of media related matters with parliament can be resolved.

“Now with plat form of this nature, when we see that there was some kind of misinformation or negative coverage, we will discuss the modalities of how we can operate and create a conducive environment for both sides to work properly.” Added Mengezi

Suzgo Khunga

The newly elected Press Gallery Committee is being chaired by Suzgo Khunga from Nation Publication Limited

“In the past, the media and the parliament have always been at loggerheads in terms of how we report parliamentary proceedings. So with the coming in of the Press Gallery Committee, this will change because now we will be working together when parliament is meeting in all Sessions and Sitting Days.” Said Khunga

Peoples Party Wants Prudence in the Implementation of 2015-2016 Budget

Jooma 

The opposition People’s Party (PP) expects prudence in the implementation of the appropriated K923 billion 2015/2016 budget and warns that parliament will keep monitoring the budget implementation.

Spokesperson for the party on Finance matters in the National Assembly, Hon Ralph Jooma said in an interview that the Minister has to stick to the Public Finance Management Act and Appropriation bill guidelines.

Jooma said there is no need to overspend the money or spend outside the budget line, “Now that we have passed the budget which we are calling it a largest budget in this country has ever had, K923 billion, is quite a lot of money”

He said “The expectation is that government should make sure that it implements the budget to the full.”

Hon Jooma warned that since the parliament has been allocated enough money, the committees of parliament will make sure that it monitors the implementation of this budget.

Responding to this call, Leader of House in the National Assembly, Honorable Francis Kasaila says government will ensure that the budget is implemented as approved by the whole house.

“Our expectation is that our colleagues in the offices will start working hard from the 1st July and we want to see some impact from this budget” He said, “Figures in the budget will mean nothing if there will be nothing tangible happening on the ground”

Kasaila who promised that the cabinet work hard to monitor the implementation of the budget, jettison out fears of misappropriation and future cashgate scam.

He said since Bingu Wa Mutharika regime particularly the period of 2009 to 20012, DPP government tried to monitor and supervise government workers in preventing misappropriation, “indeed there is a very clear testimony from the analysis that has been made by the auditors that if we look at the reconciliation reports the figures that could not be reconciled in 2009 to 2012 were minimal but that figure rose sharply from K20 billion to K300 billion in one year (2013, during Joyce Banda administration). But in 2014 that figure went down again to K20 billion.”

Hon Kasaila said their DPP government will make sure that it reconcile the figures and make payment to the right people to prevent future cashgate and misappropriation “We want to assure Malawians that we are going to work hard as government and with the reforms taking place in the Ministry of Finance we believe that the situation is going to improve” 

K923.9 Billion 2015-2016 Budget Passed

The Malawi National assembly Pass 2015-2016 Budget amounting to K923,989,940 (Nine Hundred Twenty-three billion, nine hundred eighty-nine million, nine hundred sixty-five thousand, nine hundred and forty Kwacha) this Wednesday evening having passed all allocated money to various government ministries and departments.

The budget was passed after the house approved and passed the appropriation bill authorising the finance minister to to appropriate the the money to the Consolidated Recurrent and Capital Accounts for the purpose set out in he Recurrent and Capital Estimates.

The house has since adjourned earlier to Friday as motion moved by the Leader of House Hon. Francis Kasaila as part of thanking members for the job well done.

Among some of the major allocations are in the ministries of Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development to the provision of K135,687,667,113, Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to the provision of K114, 753,372,357

Meanwhile Leader of Opposition in the National Assembly President for Malawi Congress Party (MCP) Hon. Lazarus Chakwera said this is a good development but committed to give an oversight role as opposition parties. 

Hon Chakwera said “We believe that Malawians out there are rejoicing with us because what we want is services to everyone in the country and so we are glad that the opposition with all of the vigor in debating the budget has passed the budget together with members of the government side.”

He however said, “We will continue to provide the oversight that is needed and our committees of parliament are vibrant and will vigorously follow what happens in the implementation of the same budget.”

The during pre-committee of supply and during the committee of supply the house was almost turned into disarray following demands from opposition parliamentarians who were demanding the speaker to allow the house debate the alleged K92 billion cashgate report first before the budget.

Several attempts were made by opposition parties in the National Assembly to halt the budget debate but they failed to secure the plot when they had later realized that the house was presented with analysis of the cashgate report and not the forensic audit report.

Get all approved votes here….2015-2016 Budget

Malawi CSOs, Parliamentarians Plan For Injunction On MSB Sale

Leaders for the last week Friday 15th May demonstrations against government decision to sale Malawi Savings Bank (MSB), says they will soon seek another alternative of halting the ongoing sale process.

Billy Mayaya a human rights activist says members of Civil Society Organisations together with some Members of Parliament are planning to obtain an injunction restraining government from proceeding with sale of MSB until Malawians understands what is happening on the matter.

He said the injunction will help to stop government from continuing with selling plans and their injunction shall add to last week stay order which others took in Blantyre.

Mayaya has further warned that if all avenues fail to stop government from continuing with the process of selling the bank, people will continue with vigils and demonstrations across the country.

Last Friday, Mayaya led Concerned Malawians to the National Assembly with petition asking legislature to stop government from continuing with MSB sale. However, parliament has recently failed to stop government on the matter through motion passed in February which restrain the sale of MSB pending Budget and Finance Committee to scrutinize the matter and make recommendations.

But, Mayaya says the petition to the National Assembly was a first step in demanding transparency and accountability.

President Mutharika Is Yet To Deliver Promises says PP

Uladi Mussa

Leader of Peoples Party (PP) in the National Asembly and member of parliament for Salima South, Uladi Mussa says he can't agree with President Mutharika remarks in Parliament that his government is delivering promises made in campaign period.

Mutharika when speaking during official opening of the 2014/2016 Budget Meeting of the National Assembly on Tuesday said his government is laying strong foundation to propel the nation forward.

Mutharika: we are delivering campaign promises

He then said his government is already delivering promises even before his first anniversary of his administration.

Mutharika also talked of his continued commitment to ensure that there is tight security in the country, and make Malawi grow economically. On economic development Mutharika says, his administration has embarked on number of policy reforms particularly on designing sound macroeconomic policies.

“I don’t see anything being delivered in this country and worse in my constituency; no single borehole, no teacher house, no single road. Nothing! What is it that has been delivered?” asked Mussa

“There are only promises from this government as if it is time for campaign." He said and added, "Implementation and funding of the projects being mentioned in his statement is the problem as well.”

This Wednesday afternoon PP is expected together with Malawi Congress Party (MCP) to make a response to the State of National Address delivered by President Mutharika on Tuesday.

We Are Delivering Our Promises-President Mutharika

President Mutharika delivering speech in
Parliament 

President Professor Arthur Peter Mitharika says his government has began delivering promises made during the campaign period.

Mutharika was speaking during official opening of the 2014/2016 Budget Meeting of the National Assembly this Tuesday. 

In his State of the National Address Mutharika says his government is laying strong foundation to propel the nation forward.

President Mutharika greet
Speaker Richard Msowoya

He said his government is already delivering promises even before his first anniversary of his administration. 

He also talked of his continued commitment to ensure that there is tight security in the country, and make Malawi grow economically.

On economic development Mutharika says, his administration has embarked on number of policy reforms particularly on designing sound macroeconomic policies.

He said from such reforms Malawi is projected to register economic growth of up to 6.5% by 2016 regardless of threat originated from flood disaster this year.

President Mutharika great
Opposition leader, MCP
President Lazarus Chakwera

President Mutharika also added that annual inflation is also expected to go down to 12% by 2016.

Meanwhile the speaker of the National Assembly has adjourned the house to Wednesday afternoon where the opposition leaders, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) and Peoples Party (PP) will make their response. However, the opposition party, United Democratic Front (UDF) is not expected to make any response following decision to move to government side

President Mutharika greet
Hon Atupele Muluzi

Read President Statement in full here

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_djmeY3fFSHLVBINU9xbnV0WEU/view?usp=sharing

PP Wants Prudence In Implementation of 2014/2015 Supplementary Budget

PP Wants Prudence in Implementation of 2014/2015 Supplementary Budget

Jooma: Standing 

Peoples Party (PP) has stressed importance that government be prudent when implementing 2014/2015 Supplementary Budget which has extra K32 billion. 

Spokesperson for the party on Finance matters in Parliament hon. Ralph Jooma says government should endeavor to utilise and channel the resources as passed by the National Assembly last week for the benefit of the rural poor.

Tuesday last week National Assembly authorized the government to use total sum of K769.2 billion following passing of the Supplementary Appropriation Bill of 2014/2015 financial year.

"As PP we understood the reasons why the Finance Minister was asking for extra resources" said Jooma, who singled out depreciation of Kwacha in the middle of implementation of the budget and debt interest for statutory expenditure as valid reasons that government gave the House to pass the extra resources.

He said, it was necessary that following depreciation of Malawi Kwacha the House had to approve extra resources for government to obtain the same value of the approved budget as well as enable government to meet some of the commitments like FISP and others in full.

"Finance Minister was asking for K32 billion extra money which we have just approved in the House because we are satisfied that he had to get that money in order to implement budget as a whole.”

“Our advice to government is that they should make sure that this money should go for intended purpose, should be used to serve the votes that were intended to go but also to trickle down to the poor because at the end of the day it is the poor person in the remote area who we are concerned with.”

Opposition Parties Differ on 90 Days Suspension For Blantyre City Central Legislature:

MCP Opted Stiffer Penalty while PP, UDF Satisfied

The suspension of Blantyre City Central Constituency Legislature, Hon. Themba Mkandawire from participating any Parliamentary and all Committee Meetings for a period of 90 days has received mixed reactions among major political parties represented in the National Assembly.

On Friday, Speaker of National Assembly Richard Msowoya announced a 3 months suspension for hon. Mkandawire following Tuesday assault of a Parliamentary Head of Usher, Jones Sabola.

The legislature manhandled the Usher for refusing to give an extra 2015 Parliament calendar being distributed as the House was suspended for a lunch break.

Though all political parties agree and condemn the unparliamentarily act by hon. Themba, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) is categorically opposing the speakers ruling by calling it "Slap on the Wrist" while Peoples Party (PP) and United Democratic Front (UDF) says the 90 days suspension is a deserving one.

“To me that sounds almost a slap on the wrist” reacted Salima North West Legislature Jessie Kabwira, MCP spokesperson who also speaks for the party on matters of women in Parliament.

“We are talking about a relationship of power relations here, between staff and members of parliament. There is a reason why we are called Honorables, what he (Hon. Mkandawire) did is uncalled for and I think we needed to give him a sentence that sends a message that you never do such kind of a thing.”

“As a person from opposition am now worried if I say something which Themba Mkadawire or the ruling party doesn’t like" she said, "What is to stop him? Is 90 days going to stop him from doing what he did?”

“I think he needed a stiffer punishment"

She went on “Themba Mkandawire is not just from any other party, he is from the ruling party so what example are they giving us. Are they telling us that now when a Parliamentary Staff is giving us calendars they should be shaking because there is a ruling party Parliamentarian in this House? And added that the ruling party (Democratic Progressive Party DPP) should come open to make an apology for the embarrassing action done by its member.

Unlike MCP reaction, PP Leader in the House, hon. Uladi Mussa a Salima South Parliamentarian said “Am satisfied with the punishment given” though he said “His conduct is totally out of order and uncalled-for we didn't expect a member of parliament beating a parliamentary worker, this is a savage way of living”

“He was not supposed to beahave as if he is at a beer hall” said Mussa

Balaka North parliamentarian and Leader of UDF, Lucius Banda made similar sentiments of Hon. Mussa “It’s quite unfortunate that an honorable member of parliament could not contain the emotions, I think the most important thing for we politicians need to do is to learn to contain our emotions. Everybody gets angry but to go that far to a person who has lesser power standing in the society I think it will be seen as one is taking advantage of his position to do bad things. So I believe in the interest of sanity and disciplining the speaker’s sentence deserves and I hope it will never happen again”

Hon. Themba Mkandawire's conduct has been condemned by many other parliamentarians whom others have described the assault as "Criminal act"

However, the assaulted Usher was not available to comment on what he makes of Speaker's ruling.

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.

Blantyre City Central Legislature Themba Mkandawire Gets 90 Days Suspension in Parliament

Blantyre City Central Legislature Themba Mkandawire Gets 90 Days Suspension in Parliament

 

 Blantyre City Central Parliamentarian Themba Mkandawire will miss any Parliamentary proceedings and meetings for three months effective this Friday.

The suspension has been announced on Friday 27^th February 2015 by Speaker of National Assembly Hon. Richard Msowoya following pressure from opposition members on Thursday who demanded the speaker to take a decisive action before the House rise sine die.

On Tuesday afternoon, hon Themba Mkandawire punched and headbutted a helpless Head of Usher’s in Parliament Jones Sabola for refusing to give the parliamentarian an extra 2015 Parliament calendar.

The ruling effected this Friday morning restrains the legislature from attending any Parliamentary Service for 90 days, that is will miss all Committee Meetings and will not attend Parliament Meeting if convenes within the period.

Mkandawire has been heavily criticized by his fellow parliamentarians who described the conduct as unparliamentary and others called it “Criminal”