Government asks parliament to revise 2023/2024 budget over cyclone

Minister of finance Sosten Gwengwe has asked parliament to revise the 2023 to 2024 national budget for the country to recover from effects of cyclone Freddy

Gwengwe cited a number of sectors which should be revised such as of unforeseen expenditure, Roads Fund Administration, parliament sectors whose allocations have been increased

He said the budget for Roads Fund have been revised upwards in order to rehabilitate the roads that have been damaged by the cyclone

The finance Minister said the budget for parliament has been increased so that it carries out efficiently its oversight roles

Gwengwe also announced the increase of some taxes for government to collect enough revenue

Earlier in the day, Member of Parliament for Zomba central bemoaned that cyclone survivors in his constituency have been given only three bags of maize to relocate from the camps

Member of Parliament for Chitipa South Werani Chilenga asked minister of finance to release 200 million kwacha for rolling out of parliament radio failure which Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority MACRA should revoke the licence

Chilenga asked government to recruit relevant professionals for parliament Television and Radio to have quality content

He who is also chairperson of parliamentary committee on natural resources expressed concern that gazetted forest reserves like Soche and Ndirande hills are now residential areas hence the disasters