Nankhumwa wants House radio, TV: Hails God, APM in maiden ‘discontinuous motion’ speech
Newly-appointed Leader of Government Business in Parliament, Kondwani Nankhumwa, has pledged to ensure that outstanding Parliament projects, including television and radio stations, are implemented during his tenure in office.
In his maiden ‘Discontinuous Motion’ speech at the end of the 2016/17 Mid-year Budget Review Session on Thursday March 2, 2017, the youthful Mulanje Central Member of parliament said that without being seen as usurping powers of Parliament Secretariat, he would work with the Speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya that all outstanding projects of Parliament are implemented without further delay.
“I have in mind the establishment of Parliament’s own radio and TV stations whose licenses were already awarded by the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) a few years ago.
“I have in mind the outstanding issue of laptops, which must be made available to each and every member of this House. These are some of the issues, which must be dealt with at all cost,” said the Leader of the House.
Nankhumwa, who is also minister responsible for Local Government and Rural Development, said he believes that the two projects shall enhance direct link and communication between Members of Parliament (MPs) and their constituents.
“May I therefore ask all members of this august House, to join and support me in this noble cause,” he said.
‘All things are possible’
Nankhumwa thanked God and President Peter Mutharika for his new role, which he called “enormous and challenging”.
“In the book of Mathews 19:26 Jesus said and I quote ‘With man this is impossible but with God all things are possible’. The application of the verse is simple and straight forward to me: Without God I couldn’t have stood here today as Leader of the House. He has made it possible and to Him be the Glory.
“Allow me further, to express my profound and heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika for bestowing upon me the honour and privilege of being Leader of Government Business in this august House,” he said.
He thanked President Mutharika for “his faith and trust in me notwithstanding a wealth of knowledge, experience and integrity that my Honourable colleagues on this side have”.
“Let me take this opportunity, Mr. Speaker, Sir, to assure the President, my Honourable colleagues on both sides of this august House and the entire nation that I shall endeavour to discharge my duties and responsibilities with utmost diligence, integrity and impartiality. I am aware that Malawians have burning expectations with regard to how we serve them as Parliament and, as such, I will ensure that I work closely with the leadership of all political parties represented in this august House, particularly in ensuring that government’s business, especially bills and other matters proceed through this House smoothly and efficiently.
“I am well aware that Parliament derives its powers directly from the people who elect us. I shall therefore ensure that as representatives of the people, we implement the will of the people in order to improve their lives for the better,” he said, beaming with confidence.
Talks Chaponda legacy
In a rare show of maturity, the new Leader of the House also congratulated his predecessor, George Chaponda, MP for Mulanje South West, “for his demonstrated steadfast leadership when he was Leader of the House”. He said Chaponda leaves behind a legacy of excellent achievements.
“Mr. Speaker, Sir, it was under his wise leadership that Parliament debated and passed the Access to Information Bill, which His Excellency President Arthur Peter Mutharika recently signed into law, among other achievements. Indeed, to ensure continued progress, I shall rely on him for advice and direction as I embark on this enormous and challenging responsibility of leading the Executive in this august House,” he said.
Chaponda was removed as Leader of Government Business in Parliament following his alleged corrupt dealings in the purchase of state maize from Zambia.
President Mutharika also sacked Chaponda as Agriculture, Irrigation and Water Development. He remains MP and Vice President of the governing Democratic Party (DPP) but analysts believe his political future is doomed and faces possible indictment.
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Fellow citizens Disown Nankhumwa’s speech. It was just a speech like many empty speeches from DPP henchmen. Zikatha mbewa anona ndi aswiswiri. DPP has MBC why not let them continue patronizing it. Opposition MPs don’t accept the projects. Your voices and those of constituents will not be heard on the Parliament radio and TV. They will be another dirty mouth pieces for DPP like the MBC. Already your fight for MBC openness is failing so why start another fight for Parliamentary TV and Radio.
Where else do governments have such facilities? Even in developed countries like the UK there is only the BBC while in the US there is VOA that both run on tax payers money and cover Parliament when there is a good reason to do so. Ubulutu bwanji ngati siunagwire ntchito ku MBC?. This is a calculated move to continue plundering our resources because all the tenders for equipment will be handled by you and your fiends in government. Zomwe waba Chaponda sizinakwane? What justification do you have for Parliament to have its own Radio and TV stations when there is… Read more »
House Radio and TV are a waste of resources. When will they be operational?. When Parliament is in session? What happens when in recess?
Bwana Nankhumwa, proof of the pudding is in the eating. I wish you had left out APM and Chaponda in your speech.
Here we go , hiding behind God again! What is it with Malawians? All those and I mean ALL who day in and day out talking about God this and God that, have got something to hide! They are the most evil ,thieves, aldulteres people on earth! Someone once said, if I hear someone mentioning God, I run in the opposite direction! Please preach about God and mean it.Your actions are far removed from God so you are not kidding anyone!!! Nankhumwa is a good example. The man is a thief!