Mutharika new year message: I’ll make necessary changes for 2017, economic growth for Malawi at 5% projected
President Peter Mutharika’s New Year message is a rather sober one, but it’s not downbeat as his aim is to demonstrate to Malawians that his policies are putting the country on the right track, and to that end he makes some strong points on igniting economic growth and to make performance-related changes.
Mutharika described 2016 as a success in which government worked hard to manage the drug crisis and theft that haunted public hospitals in the previous years.
“We have managed the hunger situation much better than we did in 2015 and 2014. I want to thank the various humanitarian organizations for supporting us to ensure that the most vulnerable Malawians get food. Nobody, and I repeat, Nobody is going to die of hunger. As I speak, we have enough stocks to take the country into the next season,” said Mutharika.
He also hailed the Police for improving national security and taking down crime rate and lauded all persons and agencies that worked with police to protect people with albinism.
Mutharika dismissed what he called “negative perception” that there is leadership failure, saying those propagating such assertions are driven by a “negative mindset.”
“Every day, they want you to believe that we are failures. They want to undermine our determination to succeed by making us believe that we are failures. But I say to you, never think like a failure.
“They want you to believe that nothing is happening, simply to undermine everything that is happening. And I say to you; never allow anyone to make you undermine your country. In the year 2017, let us rise above and say no to negative mindset! The ability to achieve greater goals is founded on a more positive mindset,” the Malawi leader said.
Encouraging optimism about Malawi ’s trajectory to economic revival, Mutharika said: “ Let us come into the New Year with a positive economic mindset. For every problem, there is a solution. For every challenge, there is an opportunity. “
“Most countries have built great economies out of ruins. The fact that you are faced with challenges is not a reason to be hopeless. After all, hope comes where there are challenges. And courage comes where there is fear,” said Mutharika,
He said economists at the International Monetary Fund have projected that in 2017, the global economy will grow at the rate of 3.4% and the Malawian economy will exceed that and hit 5% growth.
“IMF also projects that inflation will make a drastic fall in Malawi,” he said
Mutharika’s remarks on economic forecast by IMF were a rebuttal to the pessimism fostered by the opposition and a call on Malawians to hold their nerve.
“Let us continue working hard. Malawi is a land of opportunities and we should all be proud of that,” he stated.
Continued President Mutharika in his message: “As individuals, we must believe in our capacity. We must have the right investment mindset.”
He pointed out that coupled with the various public sector reforms and zero tolerance to corruption, Malawi has become one of the most attractive places to invest.
“ While Foreign Direct Investment is on the rise, I want to encourage my fellow Malawians to take advantage of the improved investment environment and invest. In our individual lives, families and businesses, no matter how little, we all have something we can build on and invest.
“Most of us have assets that we can turn into capital. I know a boy who walked from his village to the city and sold his old radio to start a humble business. Out of that radio, he became a vendor and today he is big in businesses.
“Most of us can do better than we think. With self-confidence and determination, you can make 2017 a year of personal achievement.”
President Mutharika also commented on concerns on widespread corruption in government, saying he is equally concerned.
“ I know that some people are making every effort to make it look like my government is the most corrupt on earth in order to blackmail us from pursuing them. But I also know there are some of you who get concerned with corruption and theft of public funds because you love your Government and your country,” said Mutharika.
He argued that there are both “patriotic and political motives” in the debate on corruption.
Malawi Congress Party (MCP) leader Lazarus Chakwera , who is also leader of Opposition in Parliament, in his new year message, fauled the Mutharika administration of fuelling corruption.
But the President said fighting corruption is long drawn war.
“ Every war is fought in battles, and so far, we have won all court cases on cashgate. More battles are in, or on the way to the courts of law. The war against corruption is on, and we will win it. When we come after you, never say I am persecuting anyone,” said Mutharika.
Mutharika said he is looking forward to the new year with” better implementation and performance.”
He said: “ I want to see swift action and better results. I want to see more discipline in the public sector. I want a clean public service. I want efficiency. I want effectiveness.”
Mutharika said he will not hesitate to make performance-related changes, “ if I am not convinced you are doing your best.”
He said: “Let us all go into the New Year to live a purpose-driven life, to be performance-driven and to be result-oriented. “
President Mutharika used his new year message to trumpet the three pillars which include patriotism, integrity and hard work to support the public service reforms and national development.
Mutharika pledged to commit to continue providing “effective leadership” and that he will make the “necessary changes” to make 2017 a year of progress.
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useless pressident ever malawi
UKANAMA SIKUCHEDWA KUCHA: A LOOK AT THE PROMISES APM IN 2016:
When is he going to tell us what he has done so far?
Source: http://www.nyasatimes.com/malawi-president-mutharikas-sona-speech
1. The annual target of domestic debt repayment will remain at 1.5 percent of GDP
2. Reviewing relevant provisions in the Public Finance Management Act (2003).
3. The economy is expected to register a real GDP growth rate of 5.1 percent in 2016
4. The annual average rate of inflation is expected to fall from 21 percent in 2015 to 19.8 percent in 2016.
5. Government will roll out Program Based Budgeting (PBB) reforms. These have already been piloted in selected Ministries. All Ministries, Departments and Agencies will now prepare their budgets in line with the PBB framework.
6. The following Bills have been developed for tabling in this house in order to strengthen the regulatory environment:
• The Credit Reference Bureau (Amendment) Bill, 2015;
• The Payment Systems Bill, 2016;
• The Financial Services Amendment Bill, 2016l;
• The Banking Amendment Bill, 2016;
• The Malawi Deposit Insurance Corporation Bill; and
• The Anti-Money Laundering Bill, 2016.
• the Environment Management Bill (2016)
7. Government also commenced work on installation of Micro Finance Institution Transaction Processing Hub. Once installed, the hub will serve as a common Management Information System for Micro Finance Institutions.
8. Develop a proper legal framework for the establishment of the Commission. This will ensure continuity of development programmes.
9. Public Service Management Policy, National Agriculture Policy, the National Irrigation Policy, National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, and the National Seed Policy and Bill, National Climate Change Management Policy, National Forestry Policy. We need appropriate agricultural policies to guide the sect.
10. Sugarcane nursery development is underway and planting on the 439 hectares will commence later this year.
11. The Chileka International Airport Project,
12. The 300 Megawatt Kam’mwamba Coal Fired Power Plant project
13. The E-Government (National Identity) Project
14. Government is constructing ICT and Business Centres, classrooms and workshops at Lilongwe, Nasawa, Salima and Soche Technical Colleges. –
15. Government is developing a Workers’ Compensation Fund. Apart from helping to speed up workers compensation payments, the Fund will also guarantee availability of finances. This will reduce financial burden to the Government and the private sector.
16. Reviewing the Tourism Policy;
17. Upgrading to bitumen standards access roads to places with tourist value; and constructing the Malawi Institute of Tourism Campus in Lilongwe.
18. Government will expedite the enactment of the National Heritage Council Bill law to ensure promotion and preservation of the country’s rich cultural heritage.
19. The resumption of the Zomba – Jali – Kamwendo – Phalombe – Chitakale road; and the Thyolo – Thekerani – Muona – Bangula Road; The continuation of the Jenda-Edingeni Road;The Completion of the Chiringa – Miseu Folo – Chiradzulu road; and The Completion of the Lumbadzi – Dowa – Chezi Road upgrading.
20. Karonga – Songwe Road Rehabilitation Project
21. Mzuzu – Nkhata Bay Road Rehabilitation Project; and
22. Liwonde – Mangochi Road Rehabilitation Project.
23. Kamuzu International Airport construction of a new forward holding departure lounge; and rehabilitation of the domestic passenger facilities. Construction works are expected to start in July, 2016.
24. Government also plans to rehabilitate and improve the Mzuzu Airport. –
25. Government has taken significant steps in establishing the National Water Resources Authority which will serve as a regulatory body for water resources management.
26. Continue with expansion works in developing ground water and drilling boreholes in areas with low water supply coverage;
27. Operationalize the National Water Resources Authority;
28. Construction of a dam across Diamphwe River in Lilongwe, drawing water from Lake Malawi, and tapping water from Mulanje Mountain to Blantyre.
29. Continue the construction of 140 houses under Umoyo Housing programme and five flats for staff;
30. Review the Pharmacy, Medicines and Poison Act, specifically to ensure that stiffer penalties are included in this Act;
31. Commence construction of New Phalombe Hospital.
32. Commence the construction of three teacher training colleges in Rumphi, Chikhwawa and Mchinji districts;
33. Continue with the construction of Machinga and Thumbwe Secondary School;
34. Upgrade 21 CDSSs to conventional secondary schools; and
35. Continue with the expansion of infrastructure in the various public universities and four Technical Colleges in Lilongwe, Salima, Soche and Nasawa.
36. Child Protection Information Management System at District level; and continue removing street kids and beggars from the streets –
37. Review the Service Commissions;
38. Resuscitate Integrated Rural Growth Centres to promote establishment of Satellite Model Villages;
39. Review the Public Service Act (1994)
40. Construct four more One Stop Shop Service Centres in Salima, Mzuzu, Mzimba and Blantyre using part of the US$15 million grant funding from the World Bank.
41. The pilot phase is expected to issue 5,000 Identity cards and later reach 100,000 Malawians in selected districts and Traditional Authorities by December, 2016.
42. Introduce the first ever National Security Policy and Migration and Citizenship Policy.
43. Review include the Refugees Act, the Prisons Act and the Firearms Control Act.
I stopped being result oriented in serving this Govt. How hard one can
dedicate him/herself, promotion goes to mulhako.
Let Mulhako do the work as see if they can develop this country without
effort from others.
On what the President said about being optimistic, it is true that
the ability to achieve greater goals is founded on a more positive
mindset. However, mindset gets eroded if some people get engaged in
corruption and the leadership just washes helplessly.
By the way, thumbs up for the Commission of enquiry into maize scam.
Why cant we do the same with the 7 cabinet ministers instead of just
refuting?????????
I don’t believe any of the figures APM presented. The fact is no power – no growth The lake is not filling up, the earliest coal power station will be in operation in 4-5 years time. The moz interconnect is 2 years away. Generating power form diesel makes no economic sense with the immenent massive rise in fuel prices. Solar is coming but there will be massive problems connecting to the grid as it will not synchronize to the hydroelectric stations which frequency is not constant, lots of corruption on the solar deals happening thereby pushing the costs up to double what the cost should be per kWh. I predict negative growth this year at -2.7% with the kwacha going to 850:1 by the end of the first quarter and at least 1500:1 by the end of the year. Government had been told 8 years ago of the reducing lake levels and that of the hydroelectric plants will be critically low in the future and it is very possible that the Shire will stop flowing (which will happen this year). When this river stops flowing there is no power in Malawi to speak of. If government knew this then they would have at that time started building a big coal power station to power the entire country but they didn’t, why not? Incompetence, poor planning or the chance of turning a crisis into profit for their back pockets ? My opinion is the latter.
Did he actually say Malawi has become one of the attractive places to invest? Really? May be the Malawi @ State House, just may be
Good words APM ngakhale ena sakhutitsudwa mwapwetsa one aupandu pa albinos ,njala mwayesetsa pamene kwathu kwapita zaka ziwili chilala ,security, umodzi ,kudzichepetsa ngakhale ena akufuna kukugwetsani koma inu multi njii ,RNA ndijelasi chabe.pitilizani a bwana dzikoli ndilathu tonese ,otsutsa akamatsutsa musakhumudwe konzani ngati zili zoona potelo akukuptsani ngolomela,komanso otsutsa tiyeni titsutse mwanzelu other wise tisadzati atibela mavoti tiyeni titsutse mwanzeru mosanyozana,HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL
There is no sense at all. Nothing inspiring at all imwe what this president of our poor republic is saying. Chonchi kumufunsa mawa kuti kodi a President mumati chiani paNew Year speech yanu. He will tell you a totally different story. He doesn’t know whats happening in this country. Ma investors are coming? Liti. Adzakhala mumdima? Choka
Akutukwanitsa alomwe ameneyu. Mbava!
Where did we get this man who keeps on giving Malawians buffoonish speeches that lack substance and hope? Oh! I forgot, he is a non-decorated lecturer of law from Washington university ,St.Louis,Missouri.But why does he give economic projections that are not realistic? Probably it’s out of malice because his heart doesn’t care for Malawians. His actions prove that he takes Malawians for granted and he is self-centered.
With prevailing insurmountable conditions in the economic horizon, it makes no sense to give foolish hope to Malawians while at the same time you are in denial of parameters that attribute to Malawi’s sluggish progress. It is a fact that APM’s government is polluted with corrupt practices but the president expresses outright rebuttal when concerned citizens alert him with proof. He goes on the podium confidently challenging those showing knowledge of corruption.
Furthermore, investment is born out of a good functioning energy,transportation, and water system,but it seems the administration thinks you have to take your socks off first before taking your shoes. Which investor will commit his money in an environment that entertains blackouts and where water taps are dry most times? Is the 5 percent projected growth rate from sales of tobacco and other produce? Realistically, there is no meaningful production output from factories or industries that would galvanize Malawi’s economy in the short term. APM knows that at the moment, Malawi can’t produce products that will attract proceeds that would give such an eye-catching growth rate percentage. Even tourism which could promise huge profits is just talk in the corridors of power,but has been denied serious investment by government.
Peter Mutharika must live by the wishes of the people and not be fooled by selfish morons who misinform him in his government. He must listen to suffering citizens and not tell them what is right for him. Malawi is a country endowed with resources that need political will and servant leadership and not arrogance. Only after he realizes that the systems are broken and the country needs a new path,will he be able to dream in colors and anticipate a prosperous Malawi. Prosperity for a country doesn’t come by giving false projections,but it comes first by understanding what is the main problem that impinges development and progress. In biology there is a process of natural selection which was expounded by Charles Darwin. According to him,only organisms best suited to the environment survive and transmit their genetic characters in larger numbers to succeeding generations while those less adapted are eliminated..(Dictionary.com).The whole concept leads(led) to evolution. The case with Malawi requires evolution of some sort. Ministers and officials in government who are corrupt need to be eliminated by imprisonment and the whole financial system eliminated of loopholes. Anyone deemed a corrupt official is not fit in the environment because he/she is detrimental to progress which comes as a result of multiplied hard work that leads to massive productivity. An economy that realizes lots of proceeds is like a process of evolution,it has a multiplier effect . Malawi is suffering because the system is broken from the executive,civil service, infrastructure, production,and banking system. This has resulted into less or no savings in banks by the citizens which is always a reflection of a healthy economy.
Cheap talk, sweet talk, and economic promises to the people are not a solution to problems.Policy planning and implementation, and eliminating obstacles plus listening to others with relevant knowledge help build a nation. DPP showcased a colorful manifesto that has hoodwinked the unsuspecting electorate.TIME IS UP FOR PETER MUTHARIKA’S LEADERSHIP.
The message is vague and reactive. It has no performance substance. It has no performance targets which can inspire hope in Malawians. Stop punishing Malawians with heavy tax burden and poor service delivery. Stop useless nepotism, tribalism, favouritism and selectiveness when dealing with corruption. Substandard things are not needed anymore in Malawi. To preside over a bunch of failures is a worst sin a sitting president can do to his people. Malawians will hit back on 2019.
This country does not seem is led by people of positive mindset, but otherwise! Government that cannot deal with corruption issues. Full of greed and lack of accountability is order of the day. What positive mindset are we talking about! failure is failure bwana. Well spoken you want to improve thats all.
Yeah, sounds like a positive message.
Funny thing, today, ZBS juxtaposed APM’s message with that of Chakwera and the contrast in style couldnt have been any more stark! I got away thinking that Chakwera could be a man destined for BIGGER things.
That’s definitely for the future. For now we are still stuck with APM, so we may as well support him lest we lose temp. But then, again, when is he going to develop some big balls and start sacking corrupt officials?
A president, kuyendetsa dziko is not a simple walk in the park; according to MrMuluzi, it’s “serious business”.
Your Mulhakho kinsmen have been misleading you and history will be harsh on you.
A Boring Speech from a boring and corrupt president who doesnt knw what hes doind and let alone run a country.
All Mouth No Work
Don’t mind this man. He’s never serious on what he says. He would have sacked his 7 ministers who are alleged to have participated in cashgate under his brother’s administration. He would have arrested those who killed Njauju and Chasowa. He would have brought back the donors. He would have sorted out university closure impasse. He would have sorted out water and electricity woes. He would have made fertilizer and maize affordable for people. He would have disciplined his cabinet ministers and their entourages who got triple and double allowances in his recent trip to Mzuzu. The solution to Malawi’s problems lies in ousting DPP from the corridors of government. It was a huge mistake, gamble and utter stupidity to get DPP back into government when God had decided that this is not the party to bring respite, hope, dignity and prosperity to Malawians. Let’s agree with God that DPP should not rule Malawi ever again. If anyone disagrees with God, tribulations await him and he has himself to blame.
Wow “effective leadership” now with lots of Brocken systems currently in place where corruption is at its highest pick. Unless mr President you learn to walk the talk otherwise Malawians will remain poor as leardershish seems to have no vision for them.
The worlds best failed president Peter Mutharika mapwevupwevu chivunde,gulukunyenda,giling’ande mathanyulan president chitselekwete,sidzinamtole,galu wapananji
mbava
Your Excellency, take a bold stance against corruption. Stories and rumours of unabated corruption are crowding-out the achievements of your leadership.
APm mbuz, mkaz wako mbuz, joloji chaponda mbuz, nikolasi dausi mbuz, ma mp onse a dpp mbuz, japi mbuz, ngat ndiwe okwatira kapena kukwatiwa mkazi wako kapena mamuna wako nayeso ndi mbuz , patricia kaliati mbuz. umu ndimene tizagawire mbuz 2019 mutalephera kugonjesa Mighty MCP
KEEP THE FIRE BURNING HON CHAKWERA. WE LOVE YOU
Mr President, your speech has the same structure to that of Chakwera except for the fact that his was more on the negatives without even mentioning the positives gained. Yours is more of the positives without mentioning the negatives lost. Both speeches have lacked detail and solutions to critical issues that need urgent attention to resuscitate the businesses affected by lack of water, electricity and the ever depreciation of the Kwacha. Both speeches are directed to us the citizens but we get no hope for we hear what you want us to hear and not what we want to hear on these direct challenges. Imagine if there was no fuel on pumps, wouldn’t you take a quick drastic measure to resolve it? Iam sure you would because you would not want a repeat to July 2011 incident that left 20 dead. Do you then underrate this lack of electricity problem and thinking that it will not reach a breaking point where you may end up seeing a similar protest as was the one in 2011? Incase someone is not telling you the truth, then get facts from me: 90% of the people in Malawi have no electricity but depend on it at maize mills. They sleep there with a hope of getting the power but a day, or two and a night or two pass by without getting it. Once they get it, then it is for two hours or three hours or six hours to the maximum. The process of waiting for over four days then starts allover again. There is no hope that this problem will disappear soon and your government and ESCOM are not at pains at all as you think people do understand and can still be patient till 2019 when you think the problem will be resolved as you have promised. Are you happy to see a welder, a computer internet café, a Butchery operator who uses freezers or a panel beater who uses grinders running out of business because of lack of electricity? You say there is plenty maize and no one will die with hunger but this maize requires to be shelled in maize mills. A person can die if there is flour even if there is maize whilst waiting for electricity at maize mills. Sounds silly but that’s the reality. I can assure you that there are many ways to resolve this problem without waiting for 2019. Maybe you will pursue them when people will come to the level of enough being enough and this is not long from now and not the best way of resolving problems.
Excellent speech Mr President. It’s all true what you say.Even a long journey starts with a single foot.wishing u all the best to succeed 2017 to be unforgettable year for the development
empty massage. go to hell Wayipitsa mtundu wathu wa chilomwe kuti ndife anthu olephera
Our Malawi Our nation..Together We Can. Happy new year Mr President
Mr so called president if you want to make changes start with arresting those involved in the infamous k577 bn cashgate then we will know your government is serious.
Kondi there is NO Malawian Who love the country and want to build this small nation? Look at Zambia and TZ its so big 3 Times Malawi how are they managing? Why Malawians import leaders Who does not know how to lead a country. Its a shame. If he want to help Malawi and Malawians he should handle over the ministers who are involved in corruption. Donors and opposition have asked for them because they know them but he pretends like he does not them. This has made Donors to punish his government and Malawians are paying big price. What kind of a leader would do that If himself is not involved. The man is a thief a thief professor. Actually its highly educated are the ones who are thieves. Shame for education of Malawian. Does education matters for an African?
What baffles me most is that most times our government lie to us through parliament and othr podiums. They tell us our economy will grow 5% which is a very huge growth of which not even the biggest economies in Africa such as South Africa and Nigeria can not achieve. What .com these liers atribute such enormous growth to? South Africa despite having all minerals but this year is expecting only 0.6% groth. Now you telling me Malawi’s economy will grow 5%? I can not take that as the truth but a total lie.
he meant that their stealing will grow by 5% hear him well, mbava Mathanyula!!!
The president lives in a different world: corruption is very much alive on every level, as all Malawian citizens know only too well. Thefts of drugs, medicines, are still common, as all Malawian citizens know only too well. The fish rots from the head downwards, and this fish is very rotten. Even IF the government started to deal with corruption properly today, it would take years to get Malawi back to good standards. APM, until then, these are just empty words.
There is no corruption in Malawi we just share what belongs to us. If you are one of the people not stealing then sorry my friend. In case you don’t know God only put thieves in this country including youm