By Cathy Maulidi:
President Lazarus Chakwera is set to face questions from Members of Parliament (MPs) today, following his State of the Nation Address (Sona) delivered in the House on February 14.
The parliamentary session, operating under Standing Order 70B, will see MPs seeking clarity on a range of critical development issues.
MP for Likoma Island, Ashem Songwe, will kick off the questioning, focusing on the modernisation of the water transportation sector.
His question will go as follows: “We have seen the President’s commitment to infrastructure development, particularly in the road sector.
“However, Likoma Island and other water-dependent areas need attention. I would like to ask you, Your Excellency, what the government intends to do to modernise our water transportation and port infrastructure.”
The performance of Malawi’s diplomats in promoting exports will also be under scrutiny, as MP for Kasungu North, Mike Bango, has a question on this.
“Our nation’s forex woes are largely due to insufficient exports. I would like to ask you, Mr President, if you are satisfied with the performance of our diplomats as marketers of Malawi. Why are foreigners succeeding where our diplomats are failing?” Bango’s question reads.
On food security and economic recovery, MP for Kasungu North East, Paul Dumembe Nkhoma, is expected to ask Chakwera about the government’s strategies to combat inflation and address food insufficiency.
The plight of flood-prone communities in the Shire Valley districts of Chikwawa and Nsanje will be raised by the MP for Chikwawa Central, Salim Bagus.
“The recurring floods have devastated these areas. I would like to ask you, Mr President, if the government has immediate plans to purchase land in upland areas to relocate these vulnerable populations,” Bagus is expected to ask.
Infrastructure development in the Northern Region is also expected to be a major point of discussion, with MP for Karonga Nyungwe, Kenneth Ndovie, presenting a list of concerns.
Ndovie will also seek updates on the Chitipa-Nyika-Rumphi Road and the rehabilitation of the Mpata Road.
“With the President’s five-year term nearing its end, we need clarity on these projects. The completion of the Ilomba Road and other outstanding roads in the Northern Region is also vital for our development,” the lawmaker is expected to ask.
The questions to the President are sent in advance to allow him time to prepare answers.
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition, George Chaponda, refused to send questions to the President, saying his Sona was not truthful and therefore he could not send questions to receive untruthful answers.
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