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: Steering Malawi toward sustainability

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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Stanley Mdala
Stanley Mdala
5 years ago

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.

melesi zenawi
melesi zenawi
5 years ago

ziboda manthanyura APM days are numbers wamvaaaaaaaa athu akuvutika kunjako

Tiyeseni Phiri
Tiyeseni Phiri
5 years ago

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… Read more »

Chilungamo
Chilungamo
5 years ago
Reply to  Tiyeseni Phiri

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.

President Mkango Lion Manthakanjenjemereza
President Mkango Lion Manthakanjenjemereza
5 years ago

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… Read more »

Wilson
Wilson
5 years ago

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

Khima
Khima
5 years ago

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… Read more »

Favour of Yahweh
5 years ago
Reply to  Khima

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.… Read more »

Khima
Khima
5 years ago

Thanx Mike for ur further insight..we need all of what you have mentioned…though some seem to prefer Magufulu ‘s sheriff approach

mike m
mike m
5 years ago
Reply to  Khima

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… Read more »

Bobo marley
Bobo marley
5 years ago
Reply to  Khima

What about his own corruption? Nayonso because he beleives in systems being a westerner? This is the most dynb analysis i have ever seen

Khima
Khima
5 years ago
Reply to  Bobo marley

Well Mr Bobo Marley sorry for being a dynb analysis…did u mean dumb?

Eduardo
Eduardo
5 years ago
Reply to  Khima

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.

Chilungamo
Chilungamo
5 years ago
Reply to  Eduardo

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.

Finye
Finye
5 years ago

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

Eduardo
Eduardo
5 years ago

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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

mulokhowalomwe@gmail.com
5 years ago

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

Kholowa
Kholowa
5 years ago

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.

chimanga
5 years ago

But we were much better before you took power!!!!

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