Lilongwe, March 1, 2016: International travels that officials from the ministry of foreign affairs undertake are of great importance especially in fulfilling Malawi’s commitments towards the international community.
Minister responsible Dr George Chaponda made the remarks Monday afternoon in Parliament while responding to sentiments made by Peoples Party (PP) spokesperson on finance Ralph Jooma.
Jooma was presenting his comments towards the mid-year budget review ministerial statement presented last week Friday in parliament by Dr Goodal Gondwe when he appeared to make a direct reflection Chaponda saying he engages in far too much travels, both local and foreign.
However, Speaker Richard Msowoya ruled Jooma out of order faulting him for making a direct reflection to the minister.
Said Dr Chaponda in defense, “the honorable member made those remarks without knowing the roles of the minister of foreign affairs. What we have to understand is that Malawi is party to the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the United Nations and several other international organizations and Malawi needs to be taking part in the various meetings that may be taking place.
“Unlike in the past era of the Peoples Party led government, things are very different now. Even the State President has only travelled quite a few times out of this country. But in cases where the president has not travelled, there is always still a need for Malawi to be represented in these meetings.”
The issue of government officials and their foreign travels has for so long been a concern from various stakeholders saying government loses a lot of money in paying for their travels considering the ailing economy of the country.
However, as one way of saving tax payers’ money, the Professor Peter Mutharika led government has taken upon itself to limit both external and internal travels for cabinet ministers and other government officials
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