Minister of Water and Sanitation Abida Mia has congratulated President Lazarus Chakwera and Finance Minister Sosten Gwengwe for the 2022-2023 National Budget presented in Parliament on February 18, 2022.
Mia has described the Budget as ” people’s budget”
The Minister is reacting to announcement of new tax policy measures that have seen the removal of tax in the importation of sanitary pads to improve hygiene amongst girls in the country.
The Budget has also taken off VAT on tap water, a development Mia says will take Malawi to the right direction towards its commitment to make safe water accessible and affordable for all.
The 2022-2023 national budget pegged at K2.84 trillion titled” accelerating implemention towards wealth creation, job creation and food security”.
As a saying in Chichewa “Kwanu mkwanu mthengo mudalaka njoka” and “Madzi sayiwala khwawa”, it is being manifested in political landscape of this country as many people are returning to Malawi Congress Party which is the oldest political party in the country and indeed the first ever local political party to lead this country under self rule.
There was a double celebration at the MCP Mzuzu regional offices on Saturday, February 19,2022 when the party welcomed into its family, two Ward Councilors, Tony Gradwell Mwenitete of Mzirawaingwe Ward and Peterkins Mbale of Zolozolo West Ward to take its Council numberer to eight and overturn the majority control at the City Council from its initial four in 2019 elections out of fifteen Councilors Mzuzu City Council has.
Doubling the celebration was the joining of Councilor Tony Gradwell Mwenitete of Mzirawaingwe Ward who is the Deputy Mayor of Mzuzu City Council to seal off the Mayorship for MCP, as the City Mayor, Worship Desire Nyirenda is also MCP.
Speaking during the welcoming ceremony, Mwenitete and Mbale concurred on the policies and leadership of President Lazarus Chakwera as inspirational and visionary that is working towards building a new Malawi which is better for all, thereby attracting many to join or rejoin.
Mwenitete told the gathering that after a long thought of his political career and passion to serve the people diligently and with dignity, he decided to join MCP and that he is now happy to be part of the party’s family.
On the other hand councilor Mbale had very few words to say; “I and many of the people in my Ward have come to join MCP after seeing that it has leadership that listens. For instance, for many years we have been crying over a better road in my Ward, only to earn empty political ptomises, but when President Chakwera and MCP came into power, we just requested once and now I am happy that the long awaited road from Mzuzu Technical College to Luwinga is under construction.” Said Mbale while smiling showing his happiness to have joined MCP.
Welcoming the two, MCP District Chairman for Mzuzu, Franklin Hara thanked them for making their decision to join MCP, saying this shows how attractive the party is, considering that the Deputy Mayor can dump his party and join MCP, adding that building on the four cornerstones, MCP shall remain so strong forever. He then urged the members to remain united and attract more people into the party.
But speaking to reporters after the welcoming ceremony, Mwenitete said the MCP leadership is so attractive, hence his decision to join.
“I have come to MCP because of the leadership of President Chakwera. I have not been bought by anyone and I can not be bought. MCP has millions and Millions of supporters, how can it waste time to buy me? It’s not about cash but where you can be free and work with others freely.” Concluded Mwenitete.
In a separate interview with reporters, Chairman for MCP in the North South Region, Joseph Chavula expressed his excitement on the decision made by the two councilors including the Deputy Mayor.
“Oooh Yes, Yes, Yes, I am so excited because he is a big catch, the Deputy Mayor is not a mere person, is a person of integrity, is a person of authority in the society. So for him to make a decision to join Malawi Congress Party, we are much excited.” Said Chavula who was over the moon at the time of the interview.
Chavula further said, the joining simply means people have trust in the leadership of President Chakwera and entire Malawi Congress Party.
Councilor Tony Gradwell Mwenitete is formerly UTM councilor for Mzirawaingwe Ward, while Peterkins Mbale was an Independent Councilor for Zolozolo West Ward.
The new Minister of Lands, Hon Sam Kawale will this coming Saturday February the 19th hold an interface with Malawians who are living in the Diaspora. This interface will aim at giving the Minister an opportunity to hear the many challenges people in the diaspora face when trying to secure land back home.
According to the organisers of the event, a group called Malawi Congress Party Diaspora Network (MCPDN), Hon Kawale is expected to address the diaspora and also engage in question and answers. The event is scheduled to start at 7pm Malawi time and will be done virtually using Zoom Platform
Speaking to 247Malawi News, the chairperson of MCPDN, Chalo Mvula said the event is open to everyone in the diaspora regardless of their political affiliations ” We are inviting all Malawians in diaspora to make use of this opportunity- there are alot of issues that the diaspora complain about and also face when trying to secure land back home and it’s good to have the Minister hear all those challenges” said Mvula
Chalo Mvula went on to say the diaspora challenges on land issues include Lack of adequate information around land and property acquisition, land development projects and associated processes, Absence of a one-stop-shop for learning about land opportunities, requirements, timeframes, procedures etc; a space to compliment efforts by, for example, MIPA and MITC that give out general but limited information on land and property acquisition and Lack of a deliberate inclusion of the diaspora in housing, urban development and physical development projects, eg private partnership initiatives for housing complexes, shopping malls, business parks etc and Administrative barriers such as difficulties in obtaining the national ID
Those that want to participate in the event are asked to contact Malawi Congress Party Diaspora Network to get the login details through their official Facebook page or send an email to MCPDNetwork@gmail.com
President Lazarus Chakwera has arrived safely in Brussels ahead of the EU-AU Summit that starts tomorrow Thursday February 17,2022.
Upon his arrival, Chakwera was welcomed by Malawi’s Ambassador to Brussels Naomi Gwira.
Meanwhile, en route to Brussels, the President had a brief layover in Nairobi, Kenya he was received by Malawi’s Ambassador to Kenya Callista Mutharika before catching his commercial flight out of Africa .
During his working abroad, Chakwera will participate in various bilateral and Multilateral talks aimed at increasing developmental support towards Malawi and other SADC countries, especially in the wake of the devastation caused by COVID-19 pandemic and Tropical Storm Ana.
A Member of Parliament for Salima North-West Constituency Enock Phale who is also the Deputy Minister of Health says prevailing deforestation levels have negatively impacted development progress in his area.
According to Phale, a lot of money is being lost through rehabilitation of school blocks and Teachers’ houses affected by heavy winds other than focusing on new projects.
The law maker was speaking on Monday at the of three planting season in his constituency while calling on the community but bearers like chiefs, party leaders and VDC leaders to actively take apart in afforestation initiatives to reverse the situation.
District Forestry Officer for Salima Adam Jason has since hailed Salima Council Authority for their support during this year’s Constituency Tree Planting marathon with only one constituency to undertake the exercise in the district.
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change initiated Constituency Tree Planting Initiative during the 2020-2021 National Forestry Season to promote citizen participation in various Landscape Restoration Intervention across the country.
