Malawi govt consulting on relocations of MPs to capital city

Government is describing as genuine concerns that it is spending huge allowances on members of parliament when they sit as plenary or committees, calling for speedy constructions of their houses in Lilongwe.

Kaliati: Genuine Concerns
Kaliati: Genuine Concerns

Information minister Patricia Kaliati said there was need to consult widely on the construction of the houses at parliament building as there is a reserve land for such a project.

“We have heard these concerns and they are genuine. Our members should be given accomodation at the parliament building site or closer to that place rather letting them commute from their constituencies as is the case now,” said Kaliati.

Economists Association of Malawi president Henry Kachanje and Phildephia Foundation chairperson Ronald Chamthunya expressed concern that the daily sitting allowances the legislators get when parliament is meeting is a drain on the resources.

The law makers get K40,000 a day when parliament is meeting and this translates into over K1 billion in allowances for a month long session for the 193 members.

In addition to plenary, the MPs also meet in committees and draws the same K40 000 a day subsistence allowance.

However MPs almost brought the mid-year budget review meeting to a standstill as they demanded more money for the National Assembly vote for more Committee meetings.

Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee has since summoned Speaker Richard Msowoya to tell the committee why there is no enough money for committee meetings among other key issues.

Government says all government departments including the executive are facing huge budget cuts due to the shaky economy.

 

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Bellings Nyamazi
Bellings Nyamazi
7 years ago

Why can’t you find a guest house for that purpose so that when they are not meeting can be let out…….

Bellings Nyamazi
Bellings Nyamazi
7 years ago

what a joke…..

Mmalawi
Mmalawi
7 years ago

While the initial cost will be high, in the long run there will be substantial savings as government won’t need to pay them subsistence allowances, only meal allowances. It’s not a hostel but a building like a hotel with offices for MPs so they don’t have to commute from home and claim allowances even when they are staying in their own homes in Lilongwe like is the case now

The Partriot
The Partriot
7 years ago

And then they blame a civil servant for receiving allowances. If they have the people at heart, they should actually pay to attend parliamentary proceedings instead of them being paid!!

Nabetha
Nabetha
7 years ago

That is Malawi I know. Every policy adopted is useless as hell. If you feel that these MPs are paid huge allowances during parliament meetings then why is it not necessary to reduce these allowances, remember these people are already paid huge salaries. I’m sure once these houses are built, a poor man in the village will be tasked with paying their water, electricity and security bills while these MPs will be busy looming the streets of Lilongwe with nothing to do. What will happen during the period when parliament is not meeting, what will these MPs be doing in… Read more »

Mkhombokombo
Mkhombokombo
7 years ago

This is s joke!! Very selfish ideas! Building poshy houses for MPs – 193!! These guys are elected to represent their constituencies and not staying in town or closer to Parly. The same problem will reappear about claiming allowances to visit their areas. You are sweeping the roof and leaving the floor!!

Mary james
Mary james
7 years ago

How stupid to spend this kind of money? a poor country like Malawi. No wonder you are poor. cut this nonsense .

Chipoya LJ
Chipoya LJ
7 years ago

This sounds a good positive move though long overdue. This will not only help on budget but also reduce absentism of our legislators in this August the way it is today.

I believe the place will have maximum security not only for the protection of our Honourables but for their morals also otherwise kudzikhala ndeu ya mahule kumeneko.

All in all, GOD Bless Malawi!!!!!!!!!

Chipoya LJ
Chipoya LJ
7 years ago

This sounds a good positive move though long overdue. This will not only help on budget but also reduce absentism of our legislators in this August the way it is today.

I believe the place will have maximum security not only for the protection of our Honourables but for their morals also otherwise kudzikhala ndeu ya mahule kumeneko.

All in all, GOD Bless Malawi!!!!!!!

Chembe
Chembe
7 years ago

Wow Malawi’s intellectuals never ceases to surprise. Were the 2 gentlemen quoted in this article really think this is the way to save money. You can’t house old people in a hostel….unless if you trying to bring devil street scenes in the middle of city centre.

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