Chakwera holds rallies in North Malawi

Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president Lazarus Chakwwra has been holding rallies in northern Malawi over the weekend just days after the ruling party accused him of buying an expensive vehicle despite the ailing economy.

Speaking in Nkhata Bay, Chakwera described the allegations as mere smear by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) to divert people’s attention from the ailing economy that has crippled the health and education sectors most.

Chakwera has been embroiled in a K300m fuel guzzling top of the range vehicles and he has since denied any wrong doing, saying he was a target because of his vocal criticisms of President Peter Mutharika’s extravagance on public money.

The MCP president, who is also leader of opposition in parliament, said once he gets office in 2019, he would revive the Mtwara Corridor project, saying some projects are just but political that cannot work.

This was a direct reference to the Shire Zambezi waterway project, the dream project of former president Bingu wa Mutharika.

“In 2019, we will prioritise on the Mtwara Corridor. It is not good to abandon viable projects just because the government has changed, ” said Chakwera.

The Mtwara corridor was initiated by Kamuzu Banda.

The Leader of opposition in parliament said Tanzania is ready to bankroll the project on the east African country while Malawi will fund the project in Malawi which he said was economical.

Mozambique is not cooperating in the Shire Zambezi waterway project that would cut Malawi transportation costs by 60 per cent.