Lazarus Chakwera delegates Mia to Magufuli’s inauguration
President Lazarus Chakwera has delegated Transport Minister Sidik Mia, who will be accompanied by Information Minister Gospel Kazako, to represent him at the inauguration of president-elect of Tanzania John Magufuli.
The inauguration is slated for today.
State House Press Officer Brian Banda said Chakwera had deliberately delegated Mia and Kazako because, apart from attending the inauguration ceremony, the two ministers would have bilateral talks on transport and communication with their Tanzanian counterparts.
Banda said Chakwera had put transport and communication as priorities; hence assigning the two ministers.
“It has pleased the President to delegate the two ministers because he puts transport and communication at [the centre of] his heart. Therefore, the two ministers will not only represent him at the inauguration but they will also have bilateral talks with their counterparts on transport and communication,” Banda said.
The State House has also said Chakwera decided to delegate Mia and Kazako because Chilima would be busy on the day of the inauguration as he would lead a reforms signing ceremony which Chakwera will preside over.
Banda said, bearing in mind that Chilima was leading the reforms agenda, the importance of his presence at Chakwera’s function could not be overemphasised.
But University of Livingstonia political analyst George Phiri insisted that Chakwera should have delegated Chilima as the event was important to Malawians.
Phiri said, bearing in mind that Chakwera recently paid a visit to Tanzania, it would have made more sense if he or the vice were to go there.
“If they will just attend the event, then there is no problem. But if there will be some talks, then the President or the Vice could make decisions and not the ministers. So, I still think it is not necessary for the two ministers to go there at the expense of the President or his Vice,” Phiri said.
Mia, who is also Malawi Congress Party vice president, was billed to chair a meeting between his ministry and Fuel Tankers Operators Association Wednesday but failed due to the assignment.
