By: Lloyd M’bwana
The country’s two human rights watchdogs, Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR) and Centre for Development of People (Cedep) have accused President Peter Mutharika’s leadership on taking Malawians patience for granted by continuing wasting taxpayers money on political rallies and dilly dallying in tabling the much awaited Access to Information (ATI) Bill in the current seating of the August House which runs from November 6 to December 4, 2015.
The accusation comes amid local papers reporting that the cabinet has rejected the bill implying that it is filled with a lot of irregularities which has been referred for redrafting before it’s tabled in the Parliament.
The Statehouse change of heart comes as a betrayal to Malawians after President Mutharika promised in his state of nation address that his administration would table the bill in on going national assembly meeting.
In a press statement released on Thursday, November 19, 2015 which is available to The Maravi Post, CHRR and Cedep have expressed sadness on the matter saying DPP led government was taking Malawians trust for granted which must not be condoned as the conduct was contrary to what citizens were promised during campaign period ahead of 2014
Tripartite Elections.
“We, at CHRR and Cedep, find it an insult to Malawians the continued unwarranted delay on the part of the DPP government to bring the Access to Information (ATI) Bill to Parliament for enactment. When the President indicated in his opening address of 46th Session of
Parliament that the bill would be tabled during the current sitting of Parliament, Malawians heaved a sigh of relief, given the importance of the piece of legislation in enhancing transparency and accountability in the affairs of the country.
“It is, thus, shocking, to note that the much-awaited bill does not appear anywhere near the Order Paper or on the notices of the new bills for the current sitting. This is unfortunate, to say the least.
By promising Malawians what he cannot deliver, as is the case with ATI and other numerous instances—the incumbent is simply taking the citizens’ trust for granted.
“To this end, we call upon the President and the DPP government to ensure that the ATI bill is passed into law in the current sitting of Parliament. Malawians can no longer entertain further excuses on the Bill”, reads part of the statement signed by Timothy Mtambo and Gift
Trapence Executive Directors for CHRR and Cedep respectively.
The two human rights bodies questioned President Mutharika’s wisdom behind continuing holding rallies with large entourage of his cabinet ministers which cost public resources for nothing the money which was supposed to buy the much needed medical drugs and meals in public hospitals.
“We are deeply disappointed at the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government’s continued wastage of the country’s limited resources on political rallies disguised as development rallies. Our position is informed by the recent ‘development rally’ in Mangochi where a horde of Cabinet ministers and other government officials accompanied the President at the painful cost of tax-payers.
“This is outrageous! While we appreciate the need for the President to address the nation on the government’s development plans, we find the expenses that accompany such functions too excessive for the current state of the economy.
“Few months ago, the DPP government told the nation that, in the spirit of Public Reform Programme, President’s functions would only be attended by a relevant ministry. Sadly, what we noted in Mangochi was mockery to the preceding directive. The function was attended by six senior cabinet ministers, most of whom had literally nothing to do apart from clapping hands for the President. Is this what the DPP government mean by reforms?
“CHRR and Cedep will not tire to remind the DPP government that—instead of wasting tax payers’ resources on organizing rallies to castigate and threaten government critics—it should consider spending the limited resources on critical areas such as the health, education, water and energy sectors in dire need to urgent attention.
If at all President Prof. Peter Mutharika feels like updating the nation on his government’s plans, let him be conducting periodic press conferences which, in our considered view, are a cost-effective alternative. Otherwise, it’s unfortunate that the reforms seem to be forcing Malawians to carry the financial burden to fund the President and his DPP’s extravagance in the name of ‘development rallies”, concludes the CHRR and Cedep.
