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MCP, DPP hit at JB’s speech

Two of Malawi’s opposition parties represented in Parliament—the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP)—on Monday officially responded to President Joyce Banda’s State of the Nation Address, with DPP describing it as “a catalogue of wishful thinking”.

MCP, on the other hand, asked government “to walk the talk and find quick fixes to economic challenges” facing the country.

Leader of opposition and MCP president John Tembo led the onslaught with his 40-minute speech, punctuated with questions to government.

However, it was leader of DPP in Parliament George Chaponda who stunned government when he branded the President’s address as “a catalogue of wishful thinking”.

Said Chaponda: “Normally, a budgetary speech from the President is expected to provide a strategy. But what we have received is a catalogue of wishful thinking. For example, the Mudzi Transformation is merely political rhetoric, meant as a campaign tool, and donors will most likely not allow to fund such a project.

“There is no hope given in the speech and one wonders if government is justified to claim that during the past year, it has laid a foundation for hope, prosperity and growth.”

Chaponda, who constantly asked for protection from Speaker of Parliament Henry Chimunthu Banda due to incessant boos from the government side, further said government needs to find tangible solutions to sustain the appreciation of the kwacha instead of rushing to celebrate.

“The appreciation of the kwacha has come about as a result of the usual seasonal tobacco sales which have generated forex. It is, therefore, not something to excite the public as we are aware of this short-term phenomenon which occurs during sales of tobacco,” he said.

Chaponda also accused government of playing double standards on issues of economic austerity measures.

On his part, Tembo, who was very diplomatic in his approach, asked government to find permanent ways of healing the economy.

He said: “People in this country are going through some of the most turbulent economic times that we have never seen in this country since independence. Economic outlook does indicate that we are likely to be in this state for some time. But, there are no quick fixes to the economy.”

The motion to debate the President’s State of the Nation Address was moved by Chikhwawa South Member of Parliament (MP) Joseph Tembo and seconded by Karonga North West MP Beatrice Mwangonde.

Joseph Tembo hailed the President for restoring sound economic policies that are benefiting Malawians.

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