By Rick Dzida
Malawians felt a sigh of relief when it was announced that President Lazarus Chakwera would address the nation.
Their expectations were that the President would take this auspicious occasion to address the economic crisis that has rocked Malawi.
As usual, the state of national address was poetic and flowery but lacked practical solutions that immediately address our economic quandary.
In fact, no specific austere economic measures were presented at all.
Instead, the president presented the usual theoretical mini-strategic plan that spanned a three-year period up to 2023.
As a result, Malawians continue to be disappointed with President Chakwera’s administration.
The following are the Malawians’ expectations to immediately deal with the economic crisis:
- Cabinet reshuffle
We have an underperforming cabinet that requires immediate overhaul.
For instance, some ministers who were fired or died due to COVID-19 pandemic need to be replaced urgently.
Other ministers are dozing on the job such that we have even forgotten their names. Do they really exist?
A strong cabinet usually provides better policy direction to the president and he is missing a lot on this. His major weakness is that he appointed friends and acquaintances into cabinet whom he fails to discipline and fire . This is how his policy of appeasement is backfiring!!!
- Reduce international and domestic travel
The president spends most of his time traveling. If he is not the road, then he is in the sky.
Unfortunately, his frequent travels put a huge burden on public expenditure.
Imagine this!!! After announcing that he had cut down on his foreign travel, barely a week later ,he was found again in the sky on his trip to Botswana.
- Reduce presidential convoy
Malawians are tired of waiting for the long presidential convoy to pass. They waste their time on the road doing nothing and this wasted time could have been put to a better use so as to resuscitate the economy
- Political will to fight corruption
It does not make sense increasing tax collection while the public purse is being swindled through heavy corruption.
Imagine that some government officials have not declared their assets up to now and they are on a mission to amass unexplained wealth within a short time. They even compete with each other as to who has to defraud the government coffers more.
This government tolerates corruption as Tonse Alliance suspects are left scot free. They are in fact highly protected and cushioned.
Even corruption cases now are not expeditiously concluded.
We expected the president to issue a public statement to speed up recovery of government assets. Nothing was tackled regarding this issue.
- Part of President, vice President and minister’s salary should cushion COVID 19 pandemic effects
We expected the president and his cabinet to lead by example.
APM and his ministers offered part of their salary towards cushioning COVID 19 pandemic effects.
Unfortunately, this government does not care about this good cause. Instead, the President , the Vice President and Members of Parliament had their salaries astronomically hiked.
- Reduce cabinet size
If APM’s administration managed to work with a 20-member lean cabinet, what stops President Chakwera from emulating the same. This would save money a lot.
- Reduce number of advisors
It is unfathomable to note that President Chakwera is maintaining over 23 political advisers. Yet even ministers also play an advisory role to the president. This duplication is unnecessary and wasteful.
- Remove VAT on essential goods
No servant leadership can introduce Value Added Tax (VAT) on essential goods and services such as cooking oil. Kusowa umunthu. Lack of empathy!! Kudzimva ubwana!!!
By removing VAT on such essential goods, prices of such commodities will be reduced, hence making them affordable to the local citizen.
- Address the needs of the disadvantaged, the underprivileged and the vulnerable
Memories are still fresh when some local vulnerable Malawians were receiving something during the DPP regime so as to cushion effects of COVID 19 pandemic lockdowns.
This government could have explored better avenues of assisting the disadvantaged and the vulnerable.
- Improve public service delivery
Chakwera’s administration is the worst at providing public services.
The list of problems is endless: no essential drugs in the public hospitals; high prevalence of child marriages; high teen pregnancies; albino killings; selective justice; poor teaching and learning materials in the schools; unequal access to loans; poor road network; and low technology penetration just to mention a few.
Government should have put strict measures to address such inequalities and discrepancies. Malawians deserve better!!!
Feedback to: Rick Dzida, Email: rdzida@gmx.com
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the article are those of The author not necessarily of The Maravi Post or Editor