Malawi sinking into a bottomless pit -Catholic Commission
Malawi is sinking into a bottomless pit because things have been much worse during 2011, says Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) in Lilongwe Archdiocese.
CCJP secretary Mr Peter Chinoko appealed to all Malawians to help improve the economy and help achieve good governance.
“Malawi is sinking into a bottomless pit because things have been much worse during the year 2011 if we are to compare them to how they were during year 2010,” said Chinoko at an annual review meeting for CCJP where they were presenting governance report for 2010.
The CCJP were also reviewing Parliamentary Liaison Programme (PLP).
The report states that the setbacks in corporate governance have been “overwhelming.”
Reads the report in part:”The behaviour and action of the executive branch of government tended to be central to the vices that were experienced, such as prioritising of regional and ethnic interests in the disbursement of development funds and distribution of development projects; non transparency in awarding of contracts; abuse of parastatal organisations and resources.”
The report also questioned the “secretive handling of partnerships with the country’s ‘new friends’ such as China, Iran and Cuba.”
CCJP also attacked on intra party democracy, saying the country didn’t do well because those in government were the same people running parties.
Chinoko also criticised President Bingu wa Mutharika’s administration for the worse economic crisis Malawi has gone through since independence from the British rule 47 years ago.
The country faced foreign currency shortage and chronic fuel short supply.
He said the economic turmoil was triggered by governance problems which saw major donors cutting aid and the country adopting the Zero Deficit Budget which he noted “has failed Malawians”.
He observed that people cannot afford very basic necessities.
Government react
Meanwhile, Minister of Information and Civic Education Patricia Kaliati on Friday condemned a statement by CCJP caling for the organisation to be dissolved.
“What have they done to show to people? Instead of monitoring that justice is being done to people in villages, they are busy enjoying themselves in town. Government has provided subsidised farm inputs so why can’t they go and see if people are accessing these inputs instead of holding useless meetings?” the minister told reportes in Lilongwe .
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