VP Chilima says subsidized cement, iron sheets for the needy: Hail Ntcheu people
Newly sworn in Vice-President Saulos Chilima has hailed the people of central region district of Ntcheu for voting for the Democtatic Progressive Party (DPP) in the just ended May 20 tripartite elections and asked losers and winners to work together in rebuilding the nation.
Chilima made the remarks at Ntcheu boma on Monday where he was in transit to the capital Lilongwe soon after attending an inauguration ceremony in Blantyre that installed President Peter Mutharika and himself as fifth president and Vice president of Malawi.
Ntcheu is Chilima’s home and voted overwhelmingly for the DPP and its parliamentary candidates.
“What you did was a big endorsement to the President (Peter Mutharika) and the DPP. Just like our President said earlier during the inauguration, I would like to ask all of us, whether winners or losers in this election to join hand and work to rebuild the nation, it is not the duty of one individual, all of us should be involved,” said Chilima to the cheering crowd.
“Whether our parties won or lost, it is important to remember that Malawi belongs to all of us,” added the new Vice President.
He also said the DPP government will soon be implementing its manifesto and campaign promises such as youth empowerment and proposed subsidies of iron sheets and cement.
“I can assure you that the DPP government will deliver what we promised the people during the campaign and some of the programmes will start as soon as possible,” said Chilima.
He explained that it is only needy Malawians who stand to benefit from government’s plan to introduce subsidised cement and iron sheets.
The Vice-President said, through the subsidised items, government intends to reduce the number of people living in grass-thatched houses.
He assured that the district should also expect construction of Tsangano and Kasinje roads to begin soon, noting it is a shame for Ntcheu to have no tarred roads apart from the M1 Road.
Malawi’s second-in-command said the DPP-led government will also continue with the Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp) to ensure food security in the country.
He also said the civil service would get a boost through better pay, allowances and medical schemes. The VP said people should expect better health service delivery and infrastructure development in the next five years.
Chilima’s village folks were dazzled to see their own son surrounded by heavy state security presence and using government official Mercedenz Benz MG 2 and indication that he is now the second powerful man in the country.
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