Parliament approves motion to stop expiry of data bundles

Parliament has approved the motion that government should engage mobile telecommunications companies to stop the expiry of data bundles

Member of Parliament for Thyolo Central, Ben Malunga Phiri moved the motion which empowers media committee to handle the matter

Moving a private members bill, Phiri said the country has the highest data costs compared to most countries in the region.

Malunga argues that it’s sad that data bundles in the country expire before its time hence the need for Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority MACRA to move and protect the Malawian people.

He has also asked MACRA to consider creation of internet user portals which will help one to know how their data has been used.

“I also call for the removal of excise duty on data bundle to ensure locals benefit from Information Communication Technology ICT,” Malunga

Supporting the motion MP for Blantyre north suggested that national identity cards should also not expire and government must consider the network issue

Thereafter another MP moved the motion to transfer disaster funds to councils because calamities happen in constituencies but there are no finances to deal with them

However the debate of the motion was suspended to the future

Leader of the house in parliament Richard Chimwendo Banda asked the parliamentary committee on legal affairs to advise the house what to do with the abortion bill which has not been debate for the second time despite appearing on the order paper

Responding speaker of parliament Catherine Gotani Hara said will ask the committee and bring the response in the house