MPs boo Mutharika, brags of developing Malawi
Malawi President Bingu wa Mutharika has once again claimed that he has developed Malawi beyond recognition since he took over power in 2004 in terms of economic development despite the current challenges the country is facing.
In his state of the nation address when he opened parliament in Lilongwe on Friday, Mutharika donning his new signature style of Chinese suits, said Malawi has continued to register remarkable achievements since he became President.
The President was however heckled and jeered by the opposition benches when he mention the white elephant of Shire Zambezi Waterway project and the unfinished Karonga/Chitipa road to the list of his infrastrature development success.
Mutharika in the speech title ‘The Parliament Agent of Development’also praised himself for reducing HIV/Aids related deaths in Malawi because his government has been giving out free antiretroviral drugs to prolong lives of Aids suffers.
The Malawi leader, whose wife is special ambassador of Safe motherhood, said his administration has managed to reduce maternal mortality rate and that the World Health Organisation and other multilateral agencies have attested to this.
“I have reduced maternal deaths as well as HIV/AIDS related deaths following the introduction of free ARVs,” he said.
He also said government has been building schools blocks and pupils no longer are learning under trees.
“I have built more schools and hospitals and we have increased the number of people accessing safe drinking water,” said the President.
Mutharika looked annoyed as he raced through the lines of his speech.
Leader of the House George Chaponda announced the official opening will be followed by a week-long debate on Mutharika’s address before Finance and Development Planning Minister Ken Lipenga can present the Mid-Term Budget Review on Friday 3rd February, 2012.
Malawians are discontented with the Mutharika administration as currently the country is facing the worst economic crisis with fuel and dollar shortages. There has also been price increases on commodities.
