Different sectors have expressed mixed reactions to President Lazarus Chakwera’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), delivered today as he officially opened the 51st session of Parliament and the budget meeting.

In his address, Chakwera adopted a new approach, highlighting his administration’s achievements in each district since taking office in 2020.

However, opposition leader George Chaponda dismissed the speech, calling it a campaign address rather than a true SONA.

He criticized Chakwera for failing to address pressing national issues such as the ongoing hunger crisis, instead focusing on what he termed “micro issues.”

In contrast, National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) Chief Executive Officer George Macheka expressed satisfaction with the speech, particularly its focus on food security.

Supporting this view, Dr. Thomas Munthali, Director General of the National Planning Commission (NPC), said Chakwera’s speech provided hope for the sustainability of various development projects, calling it a positive step toward national progress.

Meanwhile, Leader of the House Richard Chimwendo Banda praised Chakwera’s leadership, describing him as visionary and committed to fulfilling his promises.

He pointed to the progress and updates on various development initiatives as evidence of the administration’s achievements