MCP MP wants law to stop political patronage in statutory corporations

Member of Parliament  (MP) for Dowa East (Malawi Congress Party-MCP) Richard Chimwendo Banda has said the opposition wants a private members bill to limit presidential powers  in appointment of members in Statutory Corporations, saying President Peter Mutharika has filled the boards with political supporters unlike competent expertise.

“Indeed it is very important because when we look at the private sector, these statutory corporations are also playing a vital role in as far as development of this country is concerned,” he said.

Chimwendo Banda said they have noted that the last few years, it has been a tradition, appointment of board members into statutory corporation has been done on political grounds.

“Most of the statutory corporations are full of politicians,” said Chimwendo Banda, adding “this makes it very difficult for them to become efficient in this country.”

He continued: “If you go to ESCOM and water boards in this country, you will find that politicians, governors, constituency chairpersons are filling these boards.

“ I do not know if this country can really develop with this attitude. I therefore request that government should listen and appoint board members who can deliver in this country.”

And during his contribution to the private members’ motion on Import Bank of India  (Loan) Authorisation, Chimwendo Banda advised the ruling Democratic Progressive Party  (DPP) to consider consulting former President Joyce Banda on how her administration tackled twin problems of water and power outages.

The legislator said it is sad that the reigning administration is failing to find solutions to water shortages and blackouts when JB (Joyce Banda) is still alive, and could be eager to provide advice.

He also emphasised the need for DPP to search through the tactics former President late Bingu wa Mutharika used to deal with hunger during his reign.

But Leader of the House, Minister of Agriculture George Chaponda trashed Chimwendo Banda saying DPP is facing challenges because it inherited a bankrupt government from the People’s Party (PP).