MP Mwenifumbo raps ‘overzealous’ Minister Jappie:  Stop ‘politicising’ food situation

Independent memberof parliament for Karonga Central, Frank Tumpale Mwenefumbo has accused an “overzealous” Minister of Information Jappie Mhango  for politicising the current food shortage in the country.

Speaking in parliament, Mwenefumbo cited Mhango  as one of the cabinet ministers  who politicised the  food situation in Karonga when he came to donate maize to the district hospital.

“ Instead of him just making that donation, it followed out with some negative reflections on us as Members of Parliament for Karonga district.

“He made a statement to the effect that he said to the congregants of that meeting, ‘we as a government have come all the way from Lilongwe to give maize to your hospital, where are your MPs here?’  and that was followed up with the party functionaries.

“I thought the initiative was very good for the Minister to come and donate maize to Karonga district and that he was doing that on behalf of the people of Malawi including us as representatives of the people of Karonga; but unfortunately, they use that as a political tool to de-campaign us,” said Mwenefumbo.

Mwenefumbo wondered why there are other members of government using the “unfortunate situation in the country in terms of food shortage to de-campaign others and to de-campaign other parties?”

He added: “ Please overzealous MPs and ministers don’t politicize maize You are the ones spoiling the image of the President in the northern part of Malawi.”

Mwenefumbo also complained about the ”selective distribution” of maize into different ADMARC depots.

“Karonga Central along with Karonga Nyungwe and Karonga South, out of the five constituencies, were deprived of the distribution of maize in ADMARC depots, simply because their representatives are not amongst the ruling party and this was evidenced.

“Mr Speaker, Sir, it took us to speak and complain to the Honourable Minister of Finance, who actually expressed ignorance and shock of what was happening and I want to commend and thank the Minister of Finance that he reversed that unfortunate situation by ordering ADMARC people to distribute maize equally in the district. I am happy to report that there is now an equal flow and distribution of maize in Karonga district,” he said.

There are long queues of maize buyers at state grain trader Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) depots throughout the country because of shortage of the staple grain.

Presenting a ministerial statement on the food situation in the country in Parliament on Monday, Chiyembekeza  has 9 300 metric tonnes (MT) of maize in stock.

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