Mutharika says Chakwera so far shinning on projects he initiated: Insists ‘respect the presidency’
Former president Peter Mutharika shas said he cannot rate the performance of President Lazarus Chakwera because to him, nothing has been done apart from inspecting, opening and monitoring the projects initiated by the previous regime.
Mutharika was responding to questions from reporters during a news conference he held at his retirement home in Mangochi on Friday.
Asked how he would rate President Chakwera’s first 100 days in office, Mutharika said there was nothing much new his successor has done.
“I don’t see much has been done ; so far the President is inspecting my projects that I did,” said Mutharika.
He cited the Area 18 Interchange which his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) asked government the country to honour Mutharika by naming the interchange after him.
Mutharika also prided himself for initiating the Grand Business Park in Lilongwe, saying when completed, people will not be travelling to China to buy things as most of the materials will be found at the Park.
“Malawi will be a hub of whole southern Africa region.,” he pointed out.]
Mutharika also said Chakwera on Friday performed the official opening of the five -star Golden Peacock in Blantyre which was initiated during his tenure.
“I am glad that the government has decided to adopt our projects and continue with them. They are continuing with our policies,” said Mutharika
“So, at the moment I can’t rate them because I have seen what they have done,” he added.
Mutharika said he embarked on a number of projects to develop the country and his role cannot go unappreciated.
Asked if he has been in contact with President Chakwera and how was their relationship, Mutharika said he could not comment on that as a matter of “privacy”.
But said: “Later I will comment about it but now let me respect the privacy on that.”
Said Mutharika:“I don’t want to put obstacles in the way of the new president, I want to give him a chance to run this country. He won the elections to run this country and use his policies o for the benefit of this country.”
He added that being president is a difficult job because the president deals with a lot of people.
Mutharika nonetheless repeated his appeal to Malawian people to respect the presidency because it is a sacred office, heart and soul of the nation.
“A day before I left Sanjika Palace I made a passionate plea to all Malawians to respect the presidency because it is a sacred office and the heart and soul of our nation,” said Mutharika.
He stressed: “Please, let us respect the presidency.”
Governance commentator Makhumbo Munthali told Nyasa Times that overall Mutharika handled the questions by reporters calmly and great composure “something unusual of Mutharika we all knew a few months ago. “
Said Munthali: “He spoke like a Statesman and father willing to provide constructive advice to the incumbent. You could clearly see on how he handled some questions which ordinarily you would expect him to attach the incumbent but was fair and objective in his response.
“So, in terms of national matters he handled them well. His appeal for the Tonse government to continue some of the DPP good policies is welcome and must be commended.”
Mutharika – a one term president- was ousted by Chakwera in the June 23 Fresh Presidential Election, aided by an alliance with former fellow presidential aspirant Saulos Chilima, who is now vice-president.
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Was the money from your pocket or dpp pocket…Shame on you old man.
Nde osamaliza iweyo bwanji? Ukumva pain anakuchinya iwe
Zosiyilana izi amwene. That’s what we have said all along, i.e. development projects should be continuous, not politicised.
Are you implying the Tonse Alliance government should have abandoned what you initiated and start its own projects? No ways. This is a people’s government, not a Lhomwe belt one.
I dont think the point is abandoning the DPP led govt projects, but rather, it has to work in parallel so that the electorate sees what you promised. After all, when Tonse Alliance was campaigning, it new that there are projects going on. Now, pple are saying, start talking about what you promised.
it’s a government of convenience with Zero plans. Pompanosno akatsegulira border ya Zambia ndi Malawi
The June 23 elections were tailor-made by the judiciary just to remove APM from power. Draconian laws were made and sections of the constitution wrongly interpreted just to pave way for Chakwera. Today Chakwera is phwiiiii on the chair doing nothing but hiring tired and useless family friends into positions of influence. No wonder, in 100 days, Chakwera has not made even a single tangible directive, not even a single development initiative. Our grannies have not yet started receiving K15000 monthly stipend as promised. Not even a single person has been employed in 4 months despite promissing the creation of… Read more »
The future with this government is blink. They know how to talk but nothing on the ground. It is much of sensalization speech with no economic sense in it. Most of the promises that were made are on empty economic base. To be honest we are on the path of retardation.
thats common for pastors. too much talk
which planet are you living on. In the first 4 months this is what has happened.
They have failed to arrest anyone who stole the big money during your regime but they have talked about it consistently.
They bought some very pricey laptops
They paid for very expensive rooms at crossroads.
They attempted to buy some Toyota Ambulances in Zambia after which HDRC busted them for.
They rewarded siblings and spouses with ministerial positions.
Now any sensible Malawian knows that George Orwells book was banned in Malawi for reason. These are politicians and nothing changes.
I cannot agree with APM on projects. For goodness sake the promises that Chakwera made just need his decree. Just tell job seekers where to apply for the 1 million jobs.just tell passports applicants where to get MK14,000 passports. Just tell us which Escom and Water Board is connecting for free. Just tell us where to get licences that do not expire. Just tell us where to buy universally subsidised fertilizer..Just tell us whether your powers have been reduced where you are busy rehiring redundant like Ntumodzi and known thieves like Kapondamgaga and Kalumbu at state house. Chakwera will do… Read more »
Akunama ngati? Ndizoona kuti first 100 days ya Chakwera ndima promises okha basi. Though its too early to tell, but there are signs that Chakwera may turn out to be the best president Malawi has ever had. We need to give him chance. Right now, Malawi needs to tone down on vitriol, victimisation and vindictive politics. Our number one enemies are not people koma njala, nsanje, kaduka, umphawi ndi umbuli.
Chakwera has no ability of running a state it shows now, he thinks these are the days of Kamuzu to be sturborn with African Union by opening an embassy at fake Israel, wasting tax payers money with useless states that cause conflict in middle east, If Chakwera really wants to develop Malawi, he should follow Bingu’s path
eetu zimatelo. zosiilana. ndi za a malawi ndalama zakeso mmisonkho yao . sizocokela muthumba lako namagwelu iwe.
tippex anakubhaizitsani dhala.
A5 KAPWNA A4?????? PA ZOSE ANSWERA YAKE NDI
CIKONDI NDI CILUNGAMO BASI.
ngakhale a gedhe Jeni ansah akuima ku pulpit k kulalikila nkhosa ku chechi cake Norttingham
Biggie wayankhula. This man has done a lot of developments. Other than the corruption his cronies did.
Idiot . . Ntheradi