APM fails to inspire hope on Malawi economy

President Peter Mutharika on Friday presented his State Of The Nation Address (SONA) to parliament  but could not inspire hope to Malawians on the high cost of living which has pushed most households in abject poverty, although Malawians are clinging to the yet to be delivered K1 trillion plus budget with a flicker of hope.

Mutharika told parliamentarians during his state of the nation address how his government will deal with the abductions of people with albinism, how the government is dealing with the economic situation which has gone hay way and the foreign policy which has brought Malawi and Tanzania at standstill.

His comments on the fight against corruption however brought mixed feelings as the House, half of which went asleep including his own Leader of the House George Chaponda hardly listened to him.

Mutharika did not refute claims that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has crafted in over 3000 party cadres into the Malawi Police Service in a bid to frustrate democracy and the opposition.

President Mutharika, who kept on choking throughout his one and half hour  state of the nation address, was also expected to respond to criticisms as to why his step son, Tadikira Mafudza, was negotiating a jet deal on Thursday without the knowledge of Secretary to government George Mkondiwa and the whole government machinery.

He however said progress on the talks over Lake Malawi with neighbouring Tanzania are going on very well and hoped things would be resolved very soon.

He also assured Malawians that the Shire Zambezi Waterway project, the brain child of his brother, Bingu, was going on according to plan, saying experts have found that Shire is navigable.

The Malawi leader said Mozambique, Zambia and Mozambique will soon meet to map the way forward following the good news, saying this will ease the transportation costs by 30 per cent.

On the economy, the President conceded there is still more to be done before Malawians sing hallelujah.

“We will continue to safeguard the interests of Malawians. We will address the socio-economic problems of Malawians so that they live a dignified life,” he promised.

He asked from Malawians selflessness  and sacrifice.

However, Chancellor College renowned political scientist Boniface Dulani asked the President to be the first in patriotism.

“These issues should start with the President himself. When he bought the million dollar motor home, was he putting the interest of Malawians at heart?” Dulani asked.

However, the President received standing ovation from members of parliament from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party and the bed fellows, the United Democratic Front.