Goodall delays Committee of Supply

First Deputy Speaker Esther Mcheka-Chilenje yesterday suspended the Committee of Supply because the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development Goodall Gondwe did not turn up in time.

The members of Parliament (MPs) waited for 10 minutes before Gondwe walked into the Chamber at 2.15pm.

Gondwe’s delay prompted Mcheka-Chilenje to seek direction from Leader of Government Business Kondwani Nankhumwa on who would move votes on the Order Paper in the absence of Gondwe.

Nankhumwa asked the First Deputy Speaker to waive relevant Standing Orders to suspend the Committee of Supply to allow for the minister to arrive.

When he walked in at exactly 2.15pm, Gondwe apologised for his late coming.

He said: “First of all, let me apologise for coming late for the first time. I had a meeting with donors who are giving us money and I just could not walk out.”

The MPs were visibly convinced with his response as noone grumbled. n