By Chisomo Phiri
One of the prominent social commentators in the country,Stanley Onjezani Kenani, has advised the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) not to take Malawians for fools by making promises that are unrealistic.
Kenani made the statement in a Facebook post on Sunday where he commented on a key point in the DPP’s manifesto, which promises to allocate K5 billion to every constituency annually.
The social commentator also expressed surprise that the party, through Collins Magalasi who presented the manifesto l, failed to explain where the money would come from despite claiming they understand economics.
“This is a lie. Where will the money come from? With 229 constituencies, that amounts to K1.1 trillion per year. Where is that money supposed to come from? The answer is simply: ‘Because I know economics’?” Kenani asked in disbelief.
The DPP launched its manifesto on Sunday in Blantyre at an event that party leader Peter Mutharika failed to attend, for reasons that were not disclosed.
Below is the detailed summary of what in the manifesto:
1. Development Money for Every Area • Every constituency will get K5 billion every year to use for development projects.
• Out of this:
o K100 million will go to youth business loans
o K100 million to women business loans
o K50 million to youth programs
• The party says the money will come from locally generated resources.
2. Houses and Support for Civil Servants • Every civil servant will be given a house.
• Teachers will get special loans to stop them from depending on loan sharks (katapila).
3. Free Secondary Education • Secondary school will be free and compulsory.No more paying for school development fees or exam fees.
4. Smaller, Smarter Government • DPP says it will:
o Cut down the size of Cabinet
o Reduce spending at State Residences
o Review Value Added Tax (VAT ) exemptions for some public officers
• They also promise to negotiate a special IMF credit facility within six months, suited to Malawi’s economy.
5. Power Sector and Economy • Bring back Power Market Limited (PML) as the only electricity buyer to improve the energy sector.
• Grow the economy by 6.5% by 2030.
6. Move Some Government Offices Back • DPP plans to reverse the move of headquarters for Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA), Malawi Housing, and Prison Services back from Lilongwe to their original locations.
7. Extra Plans • More hospitals will be built to improve healthcare access.
• They will reform the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) loan system so each area gets its fair share for business development.
