Uladi Mussa, Werani Chilenga under fire
Salima South Member of Parliament (MP), Uladi Mussa, and his Chitipa South counterpart, Werani Chilenga, were yesterday mocked by opposition MPs for supporting the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government.
The two attracted criticism from fellow legislators based on how they were contributing to a debate on State of the Nation Address (Sona) President Peter Mutharika delivered in the House on Friday.
Both MPs, who were elected on People’s Party (PP) ticket, have in recent months been linked to the DPP.
When Chilenga was given an opportunity to contribute to the debate, he highlighted strides that are being made in the construction of Nyika Road.
“Let me remind opposition political parties that this House approved K1 billion for….,” Chilenga said.
But before he finished his statement, Salima North West MP, Jessie Kabwila stood on point of order.
“Is it in order for the Honourable Member to cross the floor without making it official? He is talking about opposition….,” Kabwila said.
But First Deputy Speaker, Esther Mcheka Chilenje, said there was nothing wrong in what Chilenga had said.
“The Honourable Member is just reminding parties in opposition. Every MP is in government. I rule Salima North West out of order,” Chilenje said.
The ruling gave an opportunity to Chilenga to conclude the statement he started.
“[Let me remind opposition MPs that there is K1 billion] for feasibility studies of this important road. The parties know that if this road is constructed, they will have nothing to say about Chitipa,” he said.
There were further interjections by some MPs, forcing Chilenje to advise the MPs to avoid “making unnecessary points of order”.
When Mussa took to the floor, he sparked the attacks when he said fellow MPs must research before raising issues in the House.
“It’s not right to say that this DPP government is doing nothing,” Mussa said.
That prompted Dowa East MP, Richard Chimwendo Banda, to stand on a point of order.
“Is it in order for Salima South to change colours? He told this House that the performance of this government after first year was zero, after second year zero, third year zero…” Chimwendo Banda said.
But in her ruling, Chilenje, said she did not think Mussa had changed colours.
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