The Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture says it has set aside K100 million for the first ever Umodzi Day celebrations slated for tomorrow.
Umodzi Day was set aside to sustain peace through the promotion of inter-faith, inter-political and inter-cultural co-existence.
Briefing reporters in Lilongwe Tuesday, Local Government Minister Richard Chimwendo Banda said the money that will be used for event activities will come from government coffers.
He said Umodzi Day celebrations will bring Malawians together regardless of their political, religious and cultural affiliation.
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“The celebrations’ main objective is to promote peace and unity in Malawi in line with the Malawi 2063 [vision]; the Republican Constitution, [notably] sections 13(f) (iv), 13(1), and 20; as well as the National Anthem and Malawi’s Coat of Arms,” Chimwendo Banda said.
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However, Centre for Social Accountability and Transparency Executive Director Willy Kambwandira asked the government to be using taxpayers’ money for justified causes.
“As such, we feel that the money in question could have been put to good use. If the Treasury can release such a huge amount of money for a one-day event, it means there is money to also fund our councils,” Kambwandira said.
On his part, Malawi Local Government Association Executive Director Hadrod Mkandawire said, as a policy holder on decentralisation processes, they want the ministry to be reminding the Treasury to be funding local councils timely.
“It is unfortunate that finances meant for local councils are not being released from the Treasury while, for such events, there is funding. We urge the Treasury to also consider funding these councils,” Mkandawire said.
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The event, which will be graced by President Lazarus Chakwera, will be held under the theme ‘Action for Peace: Our Ambition for Malawi 2063’.
