Review proposed amendments, MP told

Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Kondwani Nankhumwa has advised Nkhotakota South East member of Parliament (MP) Everson Andrew Makowa-Mwale (Malawi Congress Party-MCP) to review his proposed amendments to the 1998 Local Government Act.

 The minister said some of the statements in the motion require further consultation before being adopted by the House.

This followed a motion Mwale moved to amend the 1998 Local Government Act which, among others, is asking for the removal of time limit once councillors are elected as chairpersons or mayors.

Mwale said he made the proposal to iron out some challenges currently being faced by local government authorities as provided in sections 146 (3) and 147 (3) of the Constitution.

“I hereby move that the House resolves that the Local Government Act 1998 be amended to incorporate the following: That the number of times a councillor can be re-elected as mayor or council chairperson be left without limit,” he said.

He further said there was need for local councils to start funding basic expenses of Area Development Committee (ADC) meetings, including refreshments and meal allowances, and that such meetings should take place quarterly to minimise costs.

However, this did not go down well with Nankhumwa who during tea break advised Mwale on the implications of some of his proposed amendments.

In an interview, Nankhumwa said some of the amendments Mwale proposed needed further scrutiny and consultation, hence it was tricky to include them in the motion. n