Malawi Parliament restrict public officers to use economy-class tickets when travelling
Parliament restricts Malawi public officers to using economy class when travelling as a cost cutting measure in these harsh economic times.
This means government officials will no longer have the luxury of having the comfort in airlines business class with priority boarding, access to private departure lounges at airports, spacious leg room, higher quality food and beverages when travelling on tax payers money.
Apart from principal secretaries and chief directors, other government officials who travel business class include presidential advisers.
Nkhotakota South East MP Everson Makowa Mwale (Malawi Congress Party) moved the motion which received overwhelming support from both sides of the 193 strong House.
Makowa Mwale said the government would save up to K5 billion (about $7.3million) in public funds if government officials travelled in economy class which is cheaper.
The business class ticket costs thrice the cost of the economy class.
A Malawian Airlines flight to Johannesburg, South Africa booked today to fly economy would cost a government official $319 (about K226 490) but a business class ticket would cost $1 381 (about K987 415).
Makowa said the money saved would be used for pressing social issues such as buying drugs in hospitals and provision of potable water.
This has been welcomed by Malawians on social media with one person on Twitter saying he was surprised one day that a cabinet minister was travelling in business class whilst one of the country’s major donor, a diplomat, was travelling in economy class from Lilongwe to Blantyre.
However it remains to be seen how this will be implemented and monitored.
Being holier than thou while you are at the same time seeking loans with subsidized interest rates . Stupid hypocrites.
Enao angoombera m’manja an ao akamapita ku sululu kunja using government money amawaika mu Business class. Ministers should be examplary if this proposal is to effectively work, otherwise these the government side has just supported the idea for political reasons in order to get the budget pass – don’t be fooled. If you can’t believe my word, wait and see.
Good move! Just as an example. A whole Finance Minister of South Africa – Pravin Gordhan (Honourable is in order) is always seen flying economy class. We are talking of a country whose half yearly budget for a single municipality (not province) dwarfs the entire yearly budget of the whole Malawi – well sort of. Added on to that: get rid of all Prados and Mercs. These okes are given loans to acquire vehicles which then can be used for official duties and they can claim back form the treasury – upon proof that it was official business. Conditions to… Read more »
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LET US JOIN HANDS ON THIS ORDER BY PARLIAMENT. WHENEVER WE SEE A GOVERNMENT OFICIAL TRAVELLING BUSINESS CLASS, LET US REPORT TO AUTHORITIES OR NEWSPAPERS BETTER STILL
Malawians luxury inatipwetweka kwa basi. We need to be as humble as our economy is then we shall prosper and avoid future cashgates