By Pemphero Malimba:
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Simplex Chithyola Banda has called for the government’s urgent action on challenges that are affecting various sectors of the society.
Chithyola Banda says this through a press statement released Tuesday.
The statement touches on issues such as governance, economic status of the country, repatriation efforts for Malawians living in South Africa and other issues.
He says while it is commendable for the government to repatriate its citizens from South Africa due to xenophobic attacks, the process was being conducted at a slow pace.
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“These are not strangers. These are our brothers and sisters. This is not a time for excuses or endless meetings. It is time for a coordinated emergency response that brings our people home safely and restores their dignity,” Chithyola Banda says.
He further expresses concern over economic challenges besetting the country.
“Families are struggling to buy food. Businesses are struggling to access foreign exchange. Farmers are struggling to make meaningful profits. Young people are struggling to find jobs and opportunities. Life is becoming harder for ordinary Malawians.
“Meanwhile, Malawians continue to hear reports of wasteful expenditure, questionable priorities and allegations of corruption. People are asking a simple question: If government has money for luxury projects, why does it not have enough money for hospitals, schools, agriculture and economic recovery?” he queries.
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The lawmaker says Malawi is standing at a critical moment characterised by economic hardships, division and declining public confidence.
“The challenges facing Malawi are serious. But they can be overcome. What our country needs now is leadership that listens, leadership that acts and leadership that puts Malawians first,” he says.
The Malawi Government is repatriating its citizens who are facing xenophobic attacks in South Africa.
According to the Department of Disaster Management Affairs (Dodma), about 10,000 Malawians have been affected by the attacks.
Dodma has, so far, appealed for support from well-wishers to facilitate the repatriation of the affected Malawians.
The government has, this far, repatriated about 1,000 people from that country.
Information Minister Shadric Namalomba was yet to respond to our questionnaire for a comment at press time.
But, recently, Chief Secretary Justin Saidi and Presidential spokesperson Cathy Maulidi were quoted as saying delegations made to Cabinet ministers were aimed at saving government resources.
