By Chisomo Phiri
The main opposition Malawi Congress Party(MCP) has expressed surprise that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is attributing the country’s fuel shortages to the war in Iran and a shortage of foreign exchange.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe on Wednesday, the party’s Director of Campaign Moses Kunkuyu said the DPP-led government should come out in the open and clearly explain the true state of foreign exchange in the country.
He added that it is surprising that the DPP is making such claims now, when it previously dismissed similar explanations given by the MCP during its time in government.
Kunkuyu also accused the government of misusing foreign exchange by importing maize from Zambia instead of purchasing it locally.
He emphasized that leaders have a responsibility to provide accurate and honest information to Malawians.
Kunkuyu said using a government-to-government (G2G) arrangement is the only effective way of procuring fuel, rather than relying on private intermediaries, which he described as “dubious operators.”
He said it is surprising that the government claims the economy is performing well while prices of goods continue to rise and Malawians are struggling with the cost of living.
Kunkuyu further noted that, under current conditions, a farmer needs to sell about 13 bags of maize in order to afford just one bag of fertilizer.
He also accused the government of disadvantaging certain groups, particularly farmers, through its economic policies.
On tobacco marketing, Kunkuyu said last year’s tobacco prices started at around $3 per kilogram, compared to about $2.50 currently.
He urged the government to prioritize farmers, saying they are a key source of the country’s foreign exchange earnings.
Kunkuyu also criticized the government for purchasing maize from Zambia, thereby spending foreign exchange, when it could have sourced the commodity locally.
According to Kunkuyu, the government’s use of informal or questionable channels in procuring fuel will only worsen the shortage situation in the country.
On Monday this week,the local press quoted government spokesperson Shadreck Namalomba to have admitted that the country does not have forex that can help to procure fuel.
