Nankhumwa dissect Chakwera’s Covid-19 measures, calls on Malawi govt to consider the poor

Leader of Opposition in Parliament Kondwani Nankhumwa, who is also Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)  vice-president for  South,  has officially responded to the set of anti-coronavirus restrictions which  were outlined by President Lazarus Chakwera this week, saying it does not have measurers to cushion loss of livelihood in one of the world’s poorest countries, where most people work informally.

Nankhumwa: Consider the poor on Covid-19 strategy

Chakwera was commended by civil society and commentators for his Covid-19 strategy which was characterised as bold and prudent, but  the opposition leader punched holes,  described it as devoid of measures to cushioning the vulnerable communities.

The opposition leader, however, commended Chakwera for having courage to impose lockdown restrictions after a surge in Covid cases but said government should provide safety nets to the most vulnerable and affected people.

“I humbly commend President Chakwera for coming up with new measurers for combating the new wave if Covid-19,”  Nankhumwa said in a statement seen by Nyasa Times.

“Having been entrusted with the mantle of being your Leader of Opposition in Parliament, I would like to urge President Chakwera to dig much deeper and do more to help cushion the suffering of millions of Malawians in light of the rising wave of Covid-19 infections,” said Nankhumwa.

Hs said part of the K17.53 billion Covid-19 funds which President Chakwera  announced to be set aside to fight the pandemic should be channelled towards cushioning the ultra-poor  against  the “extreme economic impact of Covid-19” such as cash transfers.

In the statement, Nankhumwa also tacked issues such as job cuts and the folding up of small and medium enterprises as issues haunting the nation in the face  of Covid-19 transmission.

Nankhumwa said: “The tourism industry is on deathbed and it needs the support of the government. Many other industries better be supported or we risk becoming perennial importers of everything upon the demise of our industries that have been instrumental in our bid to enhance import substitution.

“If we are not careful, we will never realize out long cherished dream of becoming a predominantly producing and exporting country.”

Other measures which Nankhumwa mentioned include reducing cost of water to encourage people to wash hands, pardoning some prisoners to decongest prisons and hiring more health workers.

The death of two Covid-19 positive ministers last week prompted Chakwera to declare a state of disasters and government has since gazetted measurers  such as  a night-time curfew; gatherings have been capped  to not more than 50 people and face masks are now  mandatory in public.

Chakwera warned Malawi’s healthcare facilities had been “overwhelmed” by the surge, saying the situation is “quite desperate,” laying out plans to recruit more personnel and open field hospitals.

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Ndafera Nkhande
Ndafera Nkhande
3 years ago

Tasiyani awa akufuna tizidziwa kuti alipo.Kuchipani kwao kulibe mntendere nanga ma vice pulezident awiri ku mwera kokha.Inu anthu osaukitsa munawapangira chani pamene mumalamulira pakuti COVID inali itayamba kale?Isa mutofuna anthu ati inu mumasamala.?

mtete
mtete
3 years ago

It’s the duty of the opposition to highlight shortfalls but let’s not criticise for the sake of it. Tonse Alliance government is doing a fine job, albeit difficult and it would have been easier were it not for self enrichment through plundering, thieving by the last administration’s top brass.

Mangochi Kabwafu
Mangochi Kabwafu
3 years ago

Chitsilu fat boy. What did your nkhalamba do to help the matter? What measures did he put in place to help the poor when he announced his botched lockdown? Why closing schools when there wasn’t a single case in the country, while at the same time leaving boarders open so the virus could come in. Munaba ndalama zonse za covid-19 ndi achina Japi Mhango ndi zitsilu zina.
Total useless government you were. Nde musachulukepo nzeru apa.

Amfumu
3 years ago

It was the same Chakwera and Zeze Chilima who frustrated Apm in the fight against Covid 19.

guest
guest
3 years ago

Nankhumwayo aphunzire kulankhula in good faith..iyeyo ngat leader of opposition akapange move motion achepetse ma allowance awo by 70% ndalamazo zipite ku covid…asamangoskosa koma azilankula in good faith

nafundo zalo
nafundo zalo
3 years ago

ngati unayamba kuba ndi certificate yomwe nde lelo kumati nfwi fwi fwi go to gym. ndalama mmangopatsana zija leli azanu akusowa poyambila afwitondo inu.
Go away and shut yo stinky mouth.
bastard. anthu opanda citsazo inu. ili mbeu kungoocha.
mumufuse Trump akupitatu lelo.

CHAKWERA IS A DEMON
CHAKWERA IS A DEMON
3 years ago
Reply to  nafundo zalo

why dont you show your face and leave ndale for other people. Why are you comparing American politics to dust fumbi nyau politics. If at all you actually understand anything. My take on you is that you are a greasy ugly woman, went to Bible College in Lilongwe and actually believe that Trump was removed from office. Watch your black face and leave Us politics alone. Go and read some chapter in the fake bible and may be understand that Chakwera is the DEVIL

MCPNYAU
MCPNYAU
3 years ago
Reply to  nafundo zalo

poti you were upclose and personal with him . Kissing away that is why you know he has a stinky mouth. And you also know that Nakhumwa is a bastard because your father Lazarus Chakwera is the one who spwaned him and abandoned. Making him a bastard. I think the only one who is fat and has halitosis is you . Stop projecting. MCP Is a party of death, dentetions. MCP Worships lazarus chakwera only to reliaze that he also takes a shit just like all creatures including dogs. Lazarus in the covid plandemic went to israel, a place shut… Read more »

Mbwenu
Mbwenu
3 years ago

Kodi inu mesa munali Boma? Munachita Munachitapo chiani apart from sharing all unprocedure money on allowance. Don’t look wise today. Ndalama kungopatsa alomwe okha okha. Selfish and unchristian. Irrelevant

MCPNYAU
MCPNYAU
3 years ago
Reply to  Mbwenu

Mbwenu. Stop your tumbuka victim hood and just go start a thing in NTCHENA CHENA. All of you blue blacks move to zomba, want marry alomwe because tumbukas are ugly in the gene pool. Or to to Tanzania and contaminate mataifa with your poor aethestics. Why cant you stay in Ntchena chena. If ever there was a nepotistic goverment it was always Malawi Congress Party.

Kat
Kat
3 years ago

Approximately 75% of Malawians live in rural areas. Approximately 50% of Malawians are 17 years old and below. I think this may provide insight as to where the plan has missed the target. The hospitals being mentioned are blantyre Lilongwe Mzuzu and Zomba when we know where the majority are. If we have the majority travelling from their districts in public transport seeking health services in these cities just how does it help the spread??? A bit more emphasis should be on district hospitals too. Just a thought

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