Parliament concludes four-week session, key bills and reports passed
Malawi’s Parliament has successfully concluded a four-week session, marking the 5th Meeting of the 50th Session. The meeting, which began on Monday, 26th August 2024, saw significant legislative and general business being transacted. The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Catherine Gotani Hara, officially adjourned the meeting sine die after several key developments were made.
Key highlights of government business
Bills Passed: During the meeting, the House passed several important bills that will shape various sectors of the economy and governance. Some of the notable bills passed include:
Bill No. 12 of 2024: Irrigation – Aimed at enhancing the irrigation sector to boost agricultural productivity.
Bill No. 13 of 2024: International Development Association (Malawi Governance Service Delivery) – Focused on securing additional financing for the Malawi Governance Service Delivery project.
Bill No. 14 of 2024: Digital Malawi Acceleration Project – Part of the Inclusive Digitalisation initiative, the bill supports Malawi’s digital transformation.
Bill No. 15 of 2024: Malawi Health Emergency Preparedness Response and Resilience Project – Ensures the country’s readiness to respond to health emergencies.
Bill No. 16 of 2024: Malawi Fiscal Government Programme – Focuses on fiscal governance reforms.
Bill No. 17 of 2024: Real Estate Management – Regulates the real estate sector.
Bill No. 18 of 2024: Sectional Titles – Governs property division and ownership structures.
Bill No. 19 of 2024: Property Valuation – Lays the groundwork for property value assessments.
Bill No. 20 of 2024: Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises – Provides support and regulation for small businesses.
Bill No. 21 of 2024: National Arts and Heritage – Aims to promote Malawi’s cultural heritage and support the arts sector.
Ministerial statements:
The House also discussed various ministerial statements, including:
Tourism Development – Focused on efforts to boost tourism.
Agriculture and Food Security – Discussed government strategies to improve resilience in food security.
Youth and Sports Infrastructure Projects – Provided an update on the progress of key projects in the sector.
Subsidiary legislation:
Several Ministers laid pieces of subsidiary legislation before Parliament, which were subsequently referred to respective committees. Notable regulations included amendments to immigration, customs tariffs, and tobacco prices, among others.
Statutory reports:
Reports were tabled from various sectors, including the Malawi Police Annual Report 2023 and the Annual Report of the Malawi Judiciary 2023, reflecting on the performance of these critical institutions.
General business :
Appointment of PSC Member: The House appointed Hon. Mary Mpanga, MP for Phalombe South, as a new member of the Parliamentary Service Commission.
Introduction of E-Chamber System: Parliament introduced the E-Chamber System to enhance efficiency in deliberations.
Matters of urgent public importance: Key urgent matters raised included:
The status of the report on the June 2024 plane crash that claimed the lives of former Vice President Dr. Saulos Klaus Chilima and eight others.
Calls to make secondary education free in Malawi, raised by the Member for Rumphi East.
Concerns over unpaid bills and debts for technical colleges.
The health sector’s critical shortage of drugs.
Market challenges faced by Misuku coffee farmers despite a strong global market.
Committee reports :
The House also considered and adopted several reports from its committees, including:
Natural Resources and Climate Change – Focusing on fuel importation and collection issues.
Legal Affairs – On the review of the Penal Code.
Public Accounts – Addressing the financial accounts of statutory bodies and local councils.
Agriculture – On the progress of the Shire Valley Transformation Programme.
Health – On the provision of meals in public hospitals.
Private members business :
Fifteen constituency statements were presented by members from various districts, including Ntcheu Bwanje, Nkhotakota Central, and Blantyre City West.
Conclusion :
The four-week session of Parliament made significant strides in passing legislation and discussing critical issues affecting the nation. With the passage of key bills and discussions on matters of public importance, Parliament has continued to play its role in shaping Malawi’s governance and development trajectory.
The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Catherine Gotani Hara, has since adjourned the meeting, with much work accomplished during the session.
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