UK MPs predict tough times for poor Malawians

A delegation of United Kingdom (UK) members of Parliament under the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association has predicted tough times ahead following a decision by the Malawi Government to raise prices of fuel at a time the majority of Malawians is struggling to make ends meet.

The Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (Mera) last week adjusted upwards prices of petroleum products having considered recent trends on the world market.

Mera said combined effects of the free on board (FOB) prices and exchange rate for Malawi Kwacha against dollar has resulted in increases in landed cost of petrol, diesel and paraffin by 5.2 percent, 8.46 percent and 8.1 percent, respectively.

But speaking in an interview on the sidelines of a visit to the National Assembly in Lilongwe on Monday, Oliver Colvile (House of Commons) described the hike as “highly insensible”, particularly at a time over six million Malawians are facing hunger due to adverse effects of climate change in the 2015 and 2016 growing seasons.

He expressed fears that the raise will translate into a rise in transportation costs of maize, thereby negatively affecting lives of hungry Malawians.

Colvile also said the hike will affect operations of various industries, which largely depend on fuel.

“I just hope government and the MPs will find the best means of ensuring that the poor do not suffer due to this [rise in fuel prices],” he said.

Another MP, Kate Osamor, urged local MPs to put aside politics and endeavor to provide tangible solutions to people’s problems.

She said this can only be achieved where MPs are constantly interacting with their constituents to understand their needs and suggest solutions where possible.

Colvile, Osamor and Liam McArthur MSP and Angela Crawley are in Malawi on a programme to strengthen youth engagement with parliaments.

The four are expected to drill their counterparts on oversight, legislative and financial scrutiny.

They are also expected to tackle issue-based campaigning, especially by youth groups and hold discussions with civil society representatives and the media.

Speaker of the National Assembly Richard Msowoya said the trainings had come at the right time when Malawi is considering influencing young people to take up positions of leadership, including those in the Legislature.