Mutharika lauds his success: ‘Steering Malawi toward sustainability after inheriting bankrupt state’
President Peter Mutharika has once again pride himself for turning around the economy of Malawi the five years he has been governing after he inherited empty coffers in 2014.
Mutharika, an international and constitutional law expert, has told Independent Media of South Africa in a published exclusive interview that he inherited a bankrupt state as a result of the infamous Cashgaate scandal where graft, corruption and cronyism were the order of the day.
“I inherited a bankrupt state, and over the last four years we have worked hard and tirelessly to turn things around. We have put stringent measures in place, ensuring that the law works and we hold those who were responsible accountable,” said Mutharika as quoted by Independent Media.
The President said when he took power in 2014, he had to deal with devastating floods, a famine and a foreign-aid freeze.
“We managed to clean house, and rebuild using our own resources,” he says.
Detailing the road to economic recovery, Mutharika painted a chilling picture of how widespread corruption had put Malawi on the brink of collapse, on its way to being another typical failed state as a result of greed as well as power mongering by politicians and government ministers who used their positions as proxies in order to enrich themselves.
Mutharika explains that the tentacles of corruption had tainted various organs of the state, the media, civil society and even the judiciary.
The President said his administration has been able to work collectively to stamp out corruption.
“In government we have established integrity units and reformed the laws and Public Finance Management Act to make it extremely difficult to steal money from the government. This includes establishing law enforcement agencies and an anti-corruption unit which works independently along with the financial intelligence unit and director of public prosecutions.”
Mutharika said the results are coming out “as people are being convicted” warning that “more heads are expected to roll.”
The Malawi leader prides his administration of taking import cover from the lowest point to the highest point in Malawi’s economic history and also raised economic growth above the Sub-Saharan and IMF global average growth.
Hesaid inflation has dropped from 24% to a single digit of 9%. Interest rates have been dropped from 34% to 16%, with relative stability for more than two years, allowing the country to grow exponentially with massive infrastructure projects relating to health, education, agriculture and power supply in the pipeline.
Mutharika is of the view that tremendous progress has been made where many poor people are starting to gain access to dignified housing. Over the last four years, his administration has built over 20 000 houses for the poor.
“We have changed our mindset psychologically. When I took over in June 2014, a third of the country was washed away; many houses were built out of mud with grass thatches. Donor funders were providing 40% of the financial resources to ensure that people had a roof over their heads. There was hunger and 8 million people were food insecure. We had to turn things around and find a solution. To some extent we are still donor dependent but we have managed to run the country without donor support for four years.
“However, for our development budget, we need some support to build infrastructure and ensure industrialization so that we can begin to grow. We need five more years and coming from the Cash-Gate scandal, it may take a bit longer. We need support in the areas of development and building infrastructure and other aspects of the economy. In five years or so I believe that Malawi can be self sustainable and we will not need donor support in the following five or six years after that,” he said in quotes reported by IOL.
Mutharika said he has learnt to lead Malawi with “a passionate determination” to take it out of poverty and is upbeat to deliver.
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Mutharika stop being a hypocrite. When your brother died and Joyce Banda took over there economy was on it’s knees people were spending days at the fiilling station with jerricans to fillup their cars abandoned at home or roads. The government of your brother of which you were a failed Minister of Education.Escom was unable to provide electricity because you bankrupted the Treasury to build Ndata farm and buying properties overseas.
Malawians would like to remind you you think it’s been forgotten.
ziboda manthanyura APM days are numbers wamvaaaaaaaa athu akuvutika kunjako
Love him or hate him, APM has performed according to his promises. He deserves more years in govt. We should pray that he continues to govern this country beyond 21 May, 2019.
We have witnessed good leadership these past four years, tremendous developments in many spheres of our economy, peace and calm, as Kamuzu would say and many other good things too numerous to mention.
I must quickly add that there are still challenges here and there and such challenges are not unique to Malawi. We may not have directly benefited from the works of his hands, but surely indirectly we have.
We should pray for continued good leadership in order for the country to continue on the path of progress!
Billions of kwachas have been misappropriated aka numerous “Gate Scandals”. MSB sold pamtengo wotola, which president in Malawi has ever received K145 million from amwenye?
Probably you are a cadet and another thief definitely.
I choose to differ. Let our accountants and economist teach our presidents government accounts. When we vote in May is close to the end of financial year which is June. Naturally during this period the government coffers are close to zero to be replenished in July from Govt Account No 1 of Holding account of the Reserve Bank of Malawi. There fore it is the government account nature to be Zero at the end of June every year. Otherwise this is lack of financial knowledge. Zimatichititsa manyazi ma accountnt fe. And it it only Bingu who did not utter kuti sitinapedze ndalama m’boma, but Muluzi, Joyce Banda uttered the same things.
The govt does not have money handy to run its affairs. Everytime, taxes are collected by MRA and other sources of funds like Immigration, Road Traffic, Courts, etc. Do not cheatMalawians Mr President. MDAs collect revenues day and night and crooked govt official steal money to enrich themselves
The APM government has done good on the following
1. Stable exchange rate against the USD which makes it relatively easy for us who trade with foreign bodies to plan and execute business.
2. Sustainable Import cover, we have had easy access to foreign currencies which benefits people who trade with outside businesses and importation of essential goods and services from foreign sources
3. The progressive reduction of interest rates not there yet but at least gives a relief to borrowers for business growth.
4. For some reason when DPP is in government there is reduction of armed robberies which makes the business environment secure and safe as well as the general public as the whole.
6. Stable inflation despite being political sometimes but has been managed at least.
7 Infrastructure development, DPP tries to leave physical foot marks as far as its leadership is concerned, a few roads, buildings and others.
8 Press Freedom, not the very best but in his time no journalist can claim any press freedom infringements. I take him as the most tolerant leader we have every had.
9 Political Freedom, despite being a volatile subject but he has tried to avoid political arrests apart from Winiko who was personally demeaning and sarcastic with the high office.
10. He has tried to empower women into positions of high offices.
11. Food security, his leadership has tried to ensure that we are food secure, thanks to the Almighty too.
I Fault him on the following
1. Lack of proactiveness to deal with rampant corruption. He believes too much in institutions that are failing him.
2. Lack of proactiveness to deal with rabid party cadres who are violent and corrupt.
3. He has failed to implement a level opportunity platform that benefits every Malawi.
Being someone Western groomed I believe he believes in systems, processes and institutions which does not augur well with maiko akuno ku Africa which need a stick to have everything done. Every Leader Solves a particular Problem, thank you Mr President for what you have afforded to solve…if God allows you to go for next term..continue..
Kohima, not all believe that there is God, some choose to deny it , yet they know the truth. Some here will say no, but the truth prevails. Mutharika will prevail and the nation will prevail too. Even in the so called rich nations, not al the citizens are rich and have some who are homeless, no food , yet they live in nations which are called rich. Not all believe Jesusis the Son of God, but the truth remains the same, he is the Son of God, we may deny it, so the same not all people will agree. Let them deny but deep down their heart they know it is true, but only pride in them causes them to ignore the truth.
Thanx Mike for ur further insight..we need all of what you have mentioned…though some seem to prefer Magufulu ‘s sheriff approach
Excellent analysis Khima. I only disagree with 3 under faults as effective systems, processes and institutions will level the platform to benefit every Malawian. It is imperative that we continue building effective systems, processes and institutions to support our democracy. If we allow the stick to rule the day, then expect press freedom and civil liberties go down the drain and issues of human rights abuse. Needless to say, effective systems, processes and institutions are effective checks and balances to hold the president and others in positions of authority to account. That is what makes western democracies work. One only needs to look across the Atlantic to see how processes, institutions and systems are keeping the leader of the world’s most powerful nation restrained not to abuse his powers.
What about his own corruption? Nayonso because he beleives in systems being a westerner? This is the most dynb analysis i have ever seen
Well Mr Bobo Marley sorry for being a dynb analysis…did u mean dumb?
Khima, you are a darling! I like your objective analysis osati za anthu ena a nsanjewa. we are able to see with our physical eyes all that your have listed. Let the APM haters say the list is not true.
Munthu wadzilembela yekha kuziyankha yekha, kudziyambikilanso yekha kkkk. Just looking at his sentence construction and choices of words.
This is what happens when people are desperate, creating a fong Kong impression.
Ziboda, olo uwalembe ganyu anyapala awa akukuyamikira pano pa nyasatimes wa, iwe u president suwuonanso. Munthuwe wakalamba nzeru zatha. Puma azikukanda phuzi ma cadet akowa
Thank you bwana APM for talking substance especially in terms of how you have managed the Malawi economy. No body can dispute the statistics you have produced. DPP 2019 Boma!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That is true see Lilongwe -Salima water project money has been stolen the project has stop anytime from now equipments will be removed end of the project
Koma abale ndimanyazi omwe ulibe iwe? Chisankho ichi ndiye chikuvuta uchotse agalu ako akukhalila kumenya anthu mmisewuwa! Usamatenge antuwa ngati zitsilu ufunse za kamuzu poti iwe kunalibe akuuza boboo.
But we were much better before you took power!!!!
By the way, which country was President Mutharika talking about where his Govt has “completely” stamped out corruption? Mars??
Koma waliwongoladi ,ma dollar pano Ali mbwe mbwe muma bank.
Sure. Kufuna kugula galimoto same day forex mpaka ku japan yafika. Mafuta mbweembweembwee. Magetsi ndi awa. Chiongola dzanja ndi ichi chikuchepachi. Ngakhale JB what she knew was to devalue the kwacha chifukwa chosadziwa how economy can be run. Malawi is very stable in most aspects under APM. Enawo tawasiyani ndi nsanje yawoyo.
komaso inu ma journalist ndamene mukusokoneza antu nziko muno ngakale kuti bora mulandile ndalama kuti muzikamba zaboza zokuzana ndi president, ndalayo daily kumangobulema zintu zopanda nchito chifukwa chani mboma ngati sanapezemo ndalama mpaka lero ikale nkani ya chani , tikusauka mumalawi muno ndi zausilu ngati zimenezi ndikuhuzeni akufuna ndalayo akalambile Ku state house for nothing wakula abwele ena tiaone basi we are tired of this nonses ndikuhuzeni a times
akuluwa amangozungulila zungulila nkani ndiyakuti five years ikubwelayi apanga chani nkani za manyumba malata subsidy zatopesa zimenezo , komaso amasaname ngati ife ndiantu akumuzi azianamizadi aku Joni konko kuti kumalawi kunakazikidwa indepent anti corruption beraue , ndi indepent court zikanakala kumalawi zimenezo zilipo chaponda chimanga bwenzi ali Ku prison
Olo atandifaira doom mkamwa sindingavotere nkhalamba yoti inasiya kutota 32 yrs ago.
success ndalayo amaiona yeka palibe chomwe chikuoneka pa Malawi pano chanzeru ikakala miseu ndizoona imamangidwa kopanda antu izingota ndi nvura ndi anto oyendesa njinga
Brain exhaustion and academic thinking. Still living in America. Please go and rest, your in-law was right.
APM is presenting credible arguments, and backs them up with stats. I like that – shows the man is serious, among other attributes.
Unlike others,like the UTM Bus conductor guy, who blurts out wild statements and speculations, and conveys them as facts, when in reality they are garbage. Chilima’s thinking and timing everything suggests something wrong up there. And, you say the bus conductor guy is a trained economist?
Read Muheya’s posit again, if you disagree.
This country is in good hands with APM at the wheel. Given uchibwana of Chilima, he would destroy this country within a year; as he doesn’t seem to have a clue about the complexities of running a country. This is NOT selling ma units achimwene.
inu ndi big, Tithokoxe mulungu anatipasa msongoleri wabwino
Agogo dreaming in colours Ali pheeee!
The challenge that exists is that we live in different worlds with the President. He reports of economic development which Malawians cant see. Instead we hear and see massive corruption/looting of public resources, nepotism and collapsing social services. To prove that he should tell us who of his henchmen’s children attend public schools and hospitals. Why is it that wealth and senior jobs are occupied by Lhomwe tribe. He says the bank rate is reduced 14% and yet we are still charged 37% interest by commercial banks. Road networks in urban slams are bad and we still suffer diseases associated with poverty eg jiggers infestation, diarrhoea, scabies and cholera. Under nutrition is about 42% among children. These are all indicators of absolute poverty. Malawi is probably the only country in the world that is developed under massive corruption
pitala pitala pitala !! when do you want to retire ? out of all these 18 million people in Malawi -are you the only intelligent guy who can steer Malawi into prosperity ?? what did your fellow fake proffessor THANDEKA MKANDAWIRE hiding in abroad tell you ?
Mwambi Walero “ WOSAYAMIKA NDI MFITI”
tiyamike 145million ya zameer, tiyamike zovula azimayi, tiyamike 85million vehicles from zameer ? tinayamika Bingu osati awa ozitamanda okhawa.
Mr president, congratulations for the good work. Any person of sound mind , not hatred filled, envy driven will totally agree with you, I have seen since independence, no president in Malawi managed to have a lean cabinet of 20 members. 2: you have managed to lead the nation from almost bankruptcy, to 6 months import cover for the. first time in the country’s history.3. inflations has gone to a single digit, which creates attractive conditions for investors.4. The face of the nation has changed, better roads, and infrastructure and any nation that is investing in infrastructure shows the economy is good. 5: Community colleges have been built and you are still doing it. 6: No citizen has died of hunger . 7: Citizens are able to build better houses through the malata and cement subsidy. 7: Fuel has been cheap and we have seen what has happened in Zimbabwe recently and still happening, yet Malawians are enjoying cheaper fuel. 8. Growth of economy, is another indicator. 9. Freedom of press, and none has been put behind bars because of political differences., except those Who disobeyed the law. 10 Fight for corruption has increased, and as a result Malawi index on corruption has changed an indicator of what your government is doing.. More can be written of your achievements, . Well done Sir. In life there are people who made a decision not to see anything good from someone, those will continue to write negative or vomit abusive / foul language, but the truth stands. Well done Sir.
Not all people are thieves like you and your masters, so they do not experience your imaginary world and hallucinations
Which economy this opa is talking about. I don’t think if the economy was ticking in malawi who can wish leaving our country and go work and suffer in other countries?
True bwana president .Timayiwala pamenepo.God bless you for serving the nation tirelessly
Koma akulu inu ndinu abidzs6, aren’t you the same comrade of Zameer Karim, Batawalala, Maizegate, your so called wife is constructing flats ku Ntaya uko, where is she getting the money?
Koma mutu wa mkuluyu ukuyenda kapena wapenga?
Real Leader not za fake tikuzionazi. Talking as if you addressing your agemate (that’s Nchilima) the crooked guy
nsanje yangokula akulu inu
Mr President, stop living in dreamland. Its unfortunate that people of your generation and Goodall have such low expectations for this country. What you call achievements arent even felt in the country.
We need young blood, new vision.
This man is an old fool, corruption is worsening day by day, 145million now 53.9billion yet he speaks rubbish like this. Go to hell with your lies.