President Lazarus Chakwera has dismissed fears that moving most government departments to the country`s capital Lilongwe will have financial implications on former designated towns or cities.
The Malawi Leader said this today in Parliament in response to a question by Zomba Central lawmaker Bester Awali who asked government on how is going to address economic and business opportunity challenges to be brought about by Government’s decision to move the Immigration Headquarters to Lilongwe.
Chakwera, who was appearing before the august House for the third the since ascending to power last year, said the decision to move the Immigration Headquarters was earlier suggested by the late President Bingu wa Mutharika in his first tenure.
The Malawi leader has reasoned that Bingu`s vision should be carried upon in fulfillment of what he called administrative efficiency of the immigration department.
“I fully agree with President Bingu`s foresight in promoting the effectiveness of government agencies for the sake of economic activity, he pursued this vision despite the fact relocating the head offices of government institutions to the capital meant relocating them to a region he himself did not come from.
“He promoted the idea because he knew he would improve service delivery to all Malawians and I promise Malawians that the focus of better delivery to all Malawians will continue under my administration,” he said.
Also posing a supplementary question to the Head of State was lawmaker for Machinga East Esther Jolobala who wanted to know the President assurance on safety of women during campaign period as most are mistreated by their male counterparts.
“I can assure Machinga East that she will be protected and those who will not protect her need to be dealt with.
“And does not need to take the President to speak up for somebody to do what they are implored to do, this country needs to work up, every institution needs to work following the rules that are already there; the laws that are already because we wanna stand for the rule of law,” said Chakwera in his response.
Meanwhile, the Malawi leader has refuted assumptions that the office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) is a dumping ground for principal secretaries as observed by Zomba Lisanjala parliamentarian.
William Susuwele Banda Who asked Chakwera on how government would ensure policy decisions are based on correct facts to avoid such cases involving Principal Secretaries who are dumped at the OPC.
Chakwera goes to Parliament in compliance with Section 89 (4) of the Constitution which says that the President shall be called to Parliament to answer questions at such times as may be prescribed by the Standing Orders of Parliament or on a motion of the National Assembly.
