House in early adjournment
By Audrey Kapalamula:
Parliament Tuesday went into an early adjournment, despite having 10 days to wrap up matters that affect the country before its dissolution on March 20 ahead of the May 21 Tripartite Elections.
The House has mid-year budget review as a major business within the stipulated time and Tuesday, only handled questions directed to Cabinet ministers for oral replies.
Leader of the House, Kondwani Nankhumwa, said serious business would be tackled next week after Finance Minister, Goodall Gondwe, presents a budget review statement.
Speaking earlier, Nankhumwa assured the newly appointed Leader of Opposition, Lobin Lowe, of the government’s support during his tenure.
“The Leader of Opposition will be accorded all the respect and all entitlements to the Leader of Opposition for the term of office. This includes security detail and personal vehicle,” he said
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Lowe replaced Lazarus Chakwera who resigned from the position to contest as the presidential candidate for Malawi Congress Party.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Richard Msowoya, said five constituencies have fallen vacant following the death of lawmaker Patrick Themu of Dedza South and nominations of other members as presidential candidates and running mates of different political parties.
The constituencies include Lilongwe North-West for Chakwera, Machinga North- East for Atupele Muluzi of United Democratic Front, his running mate, Karonga Central’s Frank Mwenefumbo and Ntcheu North-East for Everton Chimulirenji, who is Democratic Progressive Party leader Peter Mutharika’s running mate.
Among the five, only Muluzi is attending the deliberations in Parliament in his capacity as Health Minister.
Meanwhile, President Mutharika has assented to all 11 bills that Parliament passed in the November meeting.
Msowoya told the House that, among the 11 four are yet to be gazetted.
“The four are the Mines and Minerals Act, Dual Citizenship Act, Tobacco Industry, and Pharmacy and Medicines Act…,” he said
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