Petra accuses DPP of hijacking its agenda
People’s Transformation Party, (Petra) president Kamuzu Chibambo has accused President Bingu wa Mutharika’s government of stealing their ideas in the manifesto to run the country.
But DPP publicity secretary Hetherwick Ntaba laughed off the claims by Chibambo, saying his “untested”party “has no experience of what government is all about.”
Chibambo on Tuesday evening told Capital FM Straight Talk programme that “from time to time the ruling party (DPP) has been using our manifesto.”
He cited the introduction of specific skill development in youth programmes announced recently by Minister of Education George Chaponda
.
He said the Petra manifesto advanced the idea of having youth entreprenuership in secondary schools.
“ We said enterprenuership must be supported by investments,” said the Petra leader.
Chibambo said Petra has placed youth development as one of its priorities, an agenda which he said, Mutharika’s party is plagarising .
“Petra is very passionate about the youth of this country. The youth have been dissolusoned,” he said, accusing other parties of using the youth for violence.
Chibambo also said Mutharika hijacked Petra’s agenda on health sector, saying they encouraged to reduce dependence on medical facilities in South Africa by having a state-of-the art referral hospital to be dealing with major surgical operations and other diseases.
He said Mutharika after visiting Germany in September 2010, announced plas to have referral hospital in Zomba at the old State House.
“ There are so many ideas that government is getting from our manifesto. It shows that there is good direction from what is contained in our manifesto,” said Chibambo.
Structures
Petra president said his party is “in the process of developing structures” in the country.
He said the party, which has no representation in parliament, has been “accepted across the country.”
“ We are a party which has demonstrated consistency,” he said.
“ People are demanding that we establish structures from Nsanje to Chitipa. Malawians elsewhere are saying Petra is a party that can transform the country,” he said.
Chibambo said Petra has policies that “ are relevant to this country” and which people are looking for.
He nonetheless underlined the importance of the opposition parties to work together, saying “there is merit in working together.”
Chibambo said Malawi is currently “hermoragging” due to bad governance, deterating huma rights and economic crisis.
“ It is seriously breeding,” he stressed.
Chibambo said in the spirit of patriotism, the opposition presedential pretenders will have to “put aside personal interest” to have a united electroral front.
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