‘Northern Block’ to engage citizens of North Malawi

Northern Region MPs Caucus, a grouping of members of Parliament (MPs) in Northern Malawi who have formed a grouping to push for fair share of the national cake, says it will be meeting chiefs and  individuals in the region for talks.

The caucus is arguing that the northern region is sidelined in terms of development projects.

Leader of the group,  Kamlepo Kalua who is also  Rumphi East MP (People’s Party-PP) and a fierce critic of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration, told Nyasa Times that the meetings want to get peoples input as they are about to come up with a constitution.

“We want the group to be strong that is why we are delaying to hold our news conference but the northerners as well as Malawians should expect it soon,” said Kamlepo.

He said government is planning to frustrate the group, citing comments by  Rumphi North MP Jappie Mhango, who is also DPP campaign director and Minister of Transport and Public Infrastructure, braning the  grouping as “vinthu vyambula mahala [senseless things]”.

Kalua said: “We know that the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is against our group and plan but we will not be stopped.”

He defiantly said they are “ bootlickers” but  they will fight for the interest of the people in the region.

Kalua said the grouping wants to push for construction of roads, public universities, health facilities, secondary and primary schools, abolishment of quota system of selecting students to public institutions of higher learning and other social developments that have to benefit the region.

Some of the group members include Karonga Central MP Frank Mwenifumbo (independent), who is the group’s interim secretary general, Mzimba North legislator Agnes Nyalonje (PP) is spokespersom,  Mzimba Hora MP Christopher Mzomera Ngwira is organising secretary while Alliance for Democracy (Aford) president Enoch Chihana, who is Rumphi Central MP, is a member of the caucus.