Chakwera explains why opposition blocked Malawi loan from World Bank

Leader of opposition in Parliament, Lazarus Chakwera , has said the opposition block on Friday rejected a government motion to table a bill that could allow government to access a K36 billion loan from the World Bank because they wanted transparency and not aiding another form of cashgate.

Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe tabled a bill seeking Malawi loan from World Bank to cater for post-floods disaster recovery costs.

However, the opposition MPs rejected the bill to be discussed as they demanded that government explain how the previous relief efforts on the floods were handled,

Chakwera, who is also Malawi Congress Party (MCP) president told a news conference alongside People’s Party (PP) leadership, that the rejection of the motion was driven by a desire for transparency and accountability.

He also confirmed plans by his fellow MCP lawmakers to reject the budget if government pressed ahead to sale State-owned MSB bank.

“MSB is not the only issue; we want a full explanation on a number of money issues which we, as a House, approved government to transact and made law.

“We want to know how government spent it and not just the MSB issue. This is how it is done world over and there is nothing strange about it,” said Chakwera.

Chakwera said the opposition rejects “a father knows best” mentality where the

Leader of the House Francis Kasaila said the move to defer the bill was a calculated move by the opposition parties to frustrate government.