Mutharika says DPP resurrecting what MCP labelled as ‘Dead North’
President Peter Mutharika has said Northern Region could have been by far one of the most developed locations in Malawi had previous ruling parties handled region the way Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) does.
Mutharika told people of the Northern Region during a political rally he held at Chibavi in Mzuzu city.
The President had no kind words for Malawi Congress Party (MCP) which ruled Malawi for 30 years but abandoned the North when it came to development.
“One of my assignments during this tour was to deliver the new Reserve Bank branch here in Mzuzu. Just look how imposing it is. And imagine if we had only 10 of those buildings here in Mzuzu. Imagine if the Malawi Congress Party had plans for this region and started building like us. Unfortunately, the MCP had branded this area the ‘dead north!” said the President.
President Mutharika pointed out some of the major developments the DPP has done and plans to do in the foreseeable future.
Besides the new Reserve Bank building the DPP has also delivered to the region Karonga-Chitipa Road, Nkhatabay District Hospital, Mzuzu-Nkhatabay Road, Jenda- Edingeni Road, Njakwa Road.
Other developments on the cards in the North are Karonga- Songwe Road, Mombera University and refurbishment of Mzuzu Airport.
In his speech, Mutharika advised politicians in the country to refrain from political confrontation but unite and generate ideas to develop Malawi.
He rejected criticism from some opposition leaders who claim the DPP government is doing nothing to boost the country’s economy, challenging critics to bring forward economic solutions and development ideas rather than dwelling on political confrontation.
“Government has been successful in facilitating and improving development in this country. This is not time for politics, and I urge everyone to put their political differences aside and reflect on what’s on the ground,” Mutharika advised.
Mutharika said government alone cannot attain economic growth, therefore, he challenged the opposition and other stakeholders to offer alternative solutions to problems facing this country, instead of playing blame-game.
“If government’s programs and policies are not working, then provide alternatives,” he challenged.
Earlier, Paramount Chief M’mbelwa V did not mince words but expressed his satisfaction with government’s commitment to develop Northern Region.
“Government has been responsive as witnessed by some road projects and other developments being carried out in the region, and we’re assured more is coming,” said the Mzimba Ngoni Chief.
During the function, four Peoples Party (PP) councillors and former General Secretary for Umodzi Party, Raymond Nkhata, defected from their respective parties to the ruling DPP.
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