JB elevates Thyolo chiefs Chimaliro,Thomas: Calls neglect under Bingu shameful
President Joyce Banda has described as shameful the neglect that the district of Thyolo has suffered, especially considering that it was home of her predecessor, late Bingu wa Mutharika who used to boast as a development economist.
Speaking at Thyolo Community Centre Ground on Monday after she installed to the status of Senior Traditional Authority chiefs Thomas and Chimaliro, President Banda said if her predecessor was really development-conscious, and proximity was indeed an ideal of leadership, Thyolo would have been a model district.
“This is shameful,” said President Banda, pointing at some dilapidated and collapsing structures that feature as civil servant houses at the Thyolo Boma. “I am saying this is shameful, very shameful.”
President Banda said the poor state of Thyolo district, although is like ma
ny other districts, should be a lesson that considerations for electing someone into the office President should not be proximity or “child from home,” but abilities to lead and capacity to identify with people’s problems.
The Malawi leader said even in other countries of Africa, people want home-grown leadership, because that kind of leadership works with the people and identifies with their problems.
“Time has come that in electing our leaders, including at presidential or parliamentary levels, we have to elect those with whom we can sit down with and discuss our problems because they have a home-grown understanding,” she advised.
She assured people of the district that she will not ignore them on the false perception that they already enjoyed under “their son.”
“Like everyone else in this country, you are also suffering because you never enjoyed the advantage of development while your own was President of this country.
“Therefore as my administration is working hard to fix and better the lives of other people in this country, you will not be sidelined,” she guaranteed.
She lamented the poor state of the Thekerani Road – a short cut between Thyolo and Lower Shire districts of Nsanje and Chikhwawa – and accused the DPP administration of diverting funds that were identified to upgrade it to bitumen standards.
“The Minister of Transport and Public Works has assured me that works on the road will commence in the next two weeks from today,” she said.
President Banda also shared the lamentations made by leaders in the district concerning land pressure, saying her administration will respond to them speedily.
“The problem of land inadequacy in this area and Mulanje has been neglected over the years. In the past this issue could not even been raised publicly.
“I would like to assure you that my administration will deal with it,” she assured.
On the senior chiefs, President Banda said Senior Traditional Authority Thomas earned her promotion long before she came into office “but was being ignored because she was being viewed as not politically acceptable and suitable.”
She explained that Senior Chief Chimaliro had also earned promotion because like his predecessor, he had proven to be development-conscious and custodian of her people.
Pursuant to Section 4, subsections 1 and 2 of the Chiefs Act, President Banda elevated Tulayi Kaphiyo from being T/A Chimaliro to Senior T/A Chimaliro effective November 6, 2012.
Under the same provision, effective August 2, 2012, the President also elevated Mrs. Elina Thomas to become Senior Chief Thomas.
