United Transformation Movement (UTM) president, who is also the country’s Vice President,Dr.Michael Usi, has called on people outside the party to avoid bringing confusion into the party.
Speaking to the party followers at Kauma ground in Lilongwe on Sunday, Usi said UTM leaders are in a good working relationship and they have all it takes to be united and ensure that the party grows.
Usi, who was appointed State Vice-President after the death of Saulos Klaus Chilima, said his appointment is a blessing from God, stressing that anyone who is not happy with that should ask God.
He pointed out that he wants to see UTM grow stronger every day.
Usi
The UTM President emphasized that he has great respect for former vice-president late Saulos Chilima, who was also until his death president of UTM.
He said he is carrying Chilima’s legacy and he will do whatever it takes to ensure that Chilima is remembered forever.
Usi therefore,cautioned UTM followers against changing the face of UTM, saying the face of UTM remains Chilima, and all party materials should have Chilima’s face.
To live by example,he vowed that he will always wear UTM attire with the SKC label.
National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Clement Kanyama has clarified that no financial transactions have been made for the two controversial fuel deals.
The deals involve importing 100,000 metric tons of fuel from Sheikh Saud Bin Alqasimi of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and 40,000 metric tons from G.E.T. Global.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lilongwe on Sunday,Kanyama ensured that NOCMA is following the proper procedures to avoid any confusion.
Clement Kanyama
He also mentioned that the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority(PPDA) denied the No Objection for the UAE deal.
Kanyama said:”We are yet to receive a license from Mera and sign a hospitality agreement for the Ministry of Transport and Public Works and G.E.T. Global contract, which is on concessionary terms.
“We have not conducted verification work with entities storing the product, including obtaining confirmation on the bank accounts that will receive payments for onward processing to the supplier.”
Government through Ministry of Transport and NOCMA is being accused in the manner it is handling these proposed fuel deals with some quarters arguing some critical public procurement requirements were not followed.
Multi-award-winning Afro-Pop sensation Onesimus has earned two nominations in the Zikomo Africa Awards 2024.
The singer has been nominated in the categories of Best Zikomo Artist of the Year and Best Zikomo Song of the Year for his hit song “Controller”.
Meanwhile,his manager, Tonderai Banda,has expressed his delight,saying he is thrilled to see Onesimus’ hard work paying off and is confident that he will continue to receive international recognition.
Onesimus
Banda has also announced that Onesimus will be performing in Israel on October 17 this year, giving his fans the opportunity to see him live and in person.
The Zikomo Africa Awards, scheduled for November this year, celebrate individuals and organizations who are excelling in various industries.
Former Lilongwe City Council Mayor who is currently an aspiring member of Parliament for Lilongwe Mlodza Constituency Councillor Richard Banda on Sunday handed over a K3 Million borehole project which he embarked using funds from personal initiative.
Speaking during the handover ceremony Banda said he thought it wise to embark on the water project after receiving reports from chiefs on challenges the community was facing to access water.
Banda
He said he was fully briefed by the chiefs on challenges which the community has been faving since 2014.
In this regard , the Former Mayor urged the community to take care of the borehole.
On his part , Blockleader Phwetekere said his subjects have already formed a committee to take care of the project.
Also speaking , Constituency chair , Hardwell Kachibekete commnded the Former Mayor for the initiative.
Kachibekete urged people in the area to support Richard Banda so that he is able to be voted as Member of Parliament during the forthcoming elections.
The Association of Business Journalists in Malawi (ABJ) says media has an important role in helping rebuild the economy as Malawi strives to recover the economy after suffering from different shocks.
ABJ outgoing National coordinator Enelles Nyale said this in Mangochi when opening this year’s ABJ Annual General Conference, which has been held under the theme ; Economic Resilience: Unpacking Malawi’s Path to Recovery in the Aftermath of Ravaging Exogenous Shocks.
Nyale said in recent years, Malawi has faced significant challenges stemming from a range of exogenous shocks that include the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change induced isasters, and global economic fluctuations
“These external forces have tested the very fabric of our economy and our resilience as a nation. Agriculture, our primary economic driver, has been particularly vulnerable, as have other sectors like tourism, trade, SMEs, and the manufacturing sector The global disruptions have led to food insecurity, currency depreciation, rising inflation, and a growing national debt burden,” she said.
She said that as Malawians reflect on these impacts, it is important to unpack not only the strides made but, more importantly, how we build a path to recovery.
Nyale stated that this year’s theme, “Economic Resilience,” is both timely and urgent.
She said journalism plays a crucial role in this endeavour.
” As the voice of the public and a bridge between policymakers and citizens, business journalists have a responsibility to present accurate, insightful, and analytical perspectives on our economic situation. You are more than just reporters of facts—you are interpreters of data, narrators of the national story, and watchdogs of the processes that drive economic policies,” she said.
Nyale said the power of the press can not be overstated in the current situation.
She said investigative stories and analyses that help the public understand complex economic challenges, hold decision-makers accountable, and foster informed debate on how the country can firge ahead
Meanwhile, ABJ has new leadership following the elections, which took place on Saturday, 28 September, 2024.
Here is the full executive:
National Coordinator Arthur Chokhotho
Deputy National Coordinator Alex Banda
Secretary General Chikondi Kachere
Deputy Secretary General Edith Kayira Gondwe
Treasurer Wezzie Nyirongo Chamanza
Executive Members Davie Taulo George Banda Simeon Shumba Timothy Kachedwa.
In an inclusive interview, newly elected ABJ National Co-ordinator Arthur Chokhotho described the associations membership as pivotal in interpreting data on the current economic situation as irresponsible and unprofessional information dissemination has taken center stage, misleading people.
“There are questions from the public like , why are commercial banks making profits when the Reserve Bank of Malawi continues to suffer losses. Malawians need to understand the liabilities the central bank has as a result, the continued skyrocketing balance of payment. Possibly understanding that the government keeps the capital base of the central bank afloat through promissory notes would help Malawians who are hard working to contribute to domestic production using the already existing assets like land, water which many Malawians do not know can help improve the economy . It is only through well-informed reporting that ABJ is fostering that we can achieve this.” Said Chokhotho.
During the function , Secretary to the Treasury Betchani Tchereni was the Guest of Honour.
