Economy on deathbed—MP
MALAWI Congress Party (MCP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Lilongwe North Patricia Mkanda has said the economic challenges that Malawians are facing have the potential to cause stress.
On Thursday, in her contribution to the statement that President Peter Mutharika made during the opening of Parliament last week, Mkanda described Malawi’s economy as being on life support.
Mkanda said it is surprising that some MPs keep claiming that the economy is on track despite the electricity challenges that are leading to closure of businesses, lack of local businesspersons’ protection and investors who are busy manufacturing commodities that Malawians would easily manufacture if they were empowered.
The lawmaker said the majority of Malawians are unemployed, leading to loss of both livelihood and revenue.
“And again there is potential for homelessness, stress among Malawians which is a health hazard, there are local social problems such as high crime rate because of unemployment and at the same time there is erosion of skills. Nowadays, our boys and girls do not see the need to go to school because in Malawi, nowadays, you can have a degree but you would not be able to get employment,” Mkanda said.
She said government must solve electricity problems to attract real investors who will be able to employ the youth who are increasingly becoming economic refugees in other countries, especially in South Africa.
Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Anna Kachikho, however, blamed Malawians for marrying and selling their land to foreigners.
Mkanda said cases of murder, bloodsucking rumours and the killing of people with albinism for wealth rituals are all signs of an economy that has collapsed.
But MPs from the government side including Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Cecelia Chazama accused Mkanda of evoking the bloodsucking memories with Chazama saying nobody had their blood sucked and she promised to bring a report on the matter in future.
MP for Mulanje Pasani Angie Kaliati called on National Food Reserve Agency to take care of the maize in its silos.
“We don’t want to hear that the maize is rotten,” Kaliati said.
A vibrant writer who gives a great insight on hot topics and issues
