MPs Differ On Mutharika’s SONA

Members of Parliament MPs from government and opposition sides have commented differently on the state of national address SONA that was presented by Malawi’s president Mutharika on Friday last week.

Legislators for DPP have praised the SONA while MCP criticized it when business resumed on the second day of the 48th session of parliament.

In her comment, Nsanje North MP Esther Mcheka Chilenje urged fellow MPs in the house to serve the interest of Malawians they are representing.

Chilenje said Malawians are expecting their MPs to sow density in the house by leaving political issues aside and deliberate issues that will develop Malawi.

“I commend Professor Peter Mutharika for being a true democrat because MPs were able to walk out of the camber while the president was addressing them,” said Chilenje

On development, she urged government to maintain irrigation schemes tat was dame by floods in her constituency.

Standing on point of order Lilongwe Nsinja MP asked the first deputy speaker to asked Chilenje to stick to the SONA and not making speeches.

MP for Nsanje Central Francis Kasaila thanked government for providing electricity in rural areas in Nsanje Central and other parts of Malawi.

“I ask government to provide health facilities in my constituency,” Kasaira said

He commended government for Chapananga and Thabwa roads that he said have transformed the lower shire.

Mp for Phalombe central George Katunga Million asked government for health centers in his constituency.

On education, the MP asked government to consider the constituency with a secondary school out of 250 secondary school that government promises to build in Malawi.

He then government to construct the road from Migowi via Lihaka to Lake Chirwa.

Standing on point of order MP for Dowa East Richard Chimwendo Banda criticised Mutharika’s SONA because he failed to abide by gender equality act.

Chimwendo Banda said “Mutharika has breached the act for appointing few females in his cabinet of Ministers which is 11 percent
of the recommended 40 percent.”

He asked Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs and Minister of Gender, Children, Disability and Social Welfare to look into the concern.

Responding Minister of Justice Bright Msaka said the provision is not in the public service act.