President Lazarus Chakwera on Sunday directed the ministries of finance and agriculture to subsidise prices of maize being sold by the Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) to cushion Malawians from the economic impacts of COVID-19 pandemic.

Addressing the nation on Sunday, Chakwera said the decision has been arrived at to cushion Malawians from economic impacts of the Coronavirus pandemic.

“I have met with the Ministers of Agriculture and Finance to engage ADMARC in ensuring that the price of maize from ADMARC Depots is subsidized this season.

“Although this may incur financial losses on our part, it will ensure that those who are losing income-generating activities under the current pandemic conditions and state of national disaster are guaranteed food at an affordable price,” said Chakwera.

Currently, ADMARC is selling maize at a price of 160 per kilogram (Kg) and government is yet to disclose the subsidised price.

In addition, Chakwera has also directed Minister of Homeland Security to work with the Inspector General in ensuring that Police Officers are trained in the enforcement of the recently gazetted COVID-19 rule.

“I have directed the Minister of Homeland Security to work with the Inspector General in ensuring that Police Officers are properly trained in the enforcement of these rules.

“Citizens found to be in violation of public safety laws must be subjected to due process, not police brutality or beatings. Malawi is not a police state, for what we have in this country is a police service, not a police force,” stressed the Malawi leader.

Meanwhile, Secretary for Health Dr Charles Mwansambo, who accompanied the President during the address, said the Ministry of Health is in the process of recruiting additional 1380 healthcare workers to beef up the fight.