National News

Opposition assures govt of support

Leader of Opposition in Parliament Kondwani Nankhumwa says opposition political parties in the House will support President Lazarus Chakwera’s government to ensure continued progress of development projects in the country.

He made the remarks while commenting on the K722.4 billion provisional budget which new Minister of Finance Felix Mlusu presented in the House yesterday.

Nankhumwa: The country in safe hands

Said Nankhumwa: “I have known Dr Chakwera as a good leader when he was leader of opposition. I have no doubt that the country is in good hands. We, on this [opposition] side will provide government with the necessary support. We will ensure that we engage with this government constructively and ensure that we are not opposing for the sake of opposing.”

His pledge was evident yesterday as the opposition members of Parliament (MPs) unanimously nodded to the four-month provisional budget tabled by Chakwera’s new government that has factored in key pro-poor projects which were promised during the June 23 fresh presidential election campaign.

However, the opposition members praised former president Peter Mutharika for losing the election gracefully and warned that the new government will be held to account on the many promises they gave Malawians, including cheap fertiliser which–at K4 495 per 50 kilogramme bag–will be four times cheaper than the current market price.

In his contribution to the financial resolution debate, Mulanje Bale MP Victor Musowa reminded the Tonse Alliance government that Malawians expect it to deliver on all its campaign promises if it is to be fully supported.

In an interview, Nankhumwa dismissed reports that divisions have emerged in the former governing Democratic Progressive Party, following a reported directive from the party’s top leadership that sought to change the opposition  leadership in Parliament shortly after Speaker Catherine Gotani Hara had announced Nakhumwa in the role, according to official communications she had received.

New Leader of the House Richard Chimwendo Banda commended the opposition for supporting government in passing the financial resolution that will see government begin spending from the 2020/21 quarterly budget.

Parliament has since adjourned sine die (indefinitely) after meeting for three weeks.

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