Tag Archives: Welani Chilenga

Business, Malawi

Parley warns MERA against unreasonable fuel prices adjustment

Maravi Post Author

By Kondanani Chilimunthaka

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources has warned the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) against raising fuel prices for profits, saying should consider raising prices for cost recovery.

Presenting a report by the Natural Resources Committee of Parliament on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, Chairperson for the committee, who is the Member of Parliament for Chitipa South Constituency, Welani Chilenga said Fuel importers in the country are failing to remit levies to MERA because they are struggling to operate as they have been using the same levies as working capital to sustain their importation and ensure continued supply of fuel in the country.

Through the report, Chilenga told the House that the committee has recommended upwards fuel adjustments by MERA so that implementation of roads projects through Roads Fund Administration (RFA) and rural areas provision of electricity through Malawi Rural Electrification Programme (MAREP) project which are prime beneficiaries to fuel levies are not seriously affected.

“However, the adjustments should be strictly for the purposes of cost recovery, and not for increasing their profits. The committee emphasized on the need for MERA to keep in mind the hardships that the people in the country are facing as a result of calamities that the country has gone through” reads part of the committee’s report to the August House.

The report has revealed that Fuel importers have not remitted to MERA a total of K329.2 billion, while MERA in return has not paid fuel importers their losses amounting to K784.7 billion which includes K380 billion to NOCMA obtained from Trade Development Bank in 2018.

This comes after Consumers Association of Malawi (CAMA) Executive Director John Kapito has been pushing for fuel prices hike amid ailing economy.

Kapito proposal has hit snag from the general public arguing that is ill-timed.

Opinion, Politics

Why should greedy Malawi legislators get paid after office tenure?

Burnett Munthali

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The definition of retirement refers to that part of any person’s life when they choose to leave their work life behind permanently. Many people decide to quit their workforce when they are old or sick enough to contribute no longer.

First, I would like to begin by saying that retirement is a vitally important stage of life and can be one of the most fulfilling. It provides an opportunity to focus on personal goals, experiences, hobbies, and relationships put on the back burner during working years.

Secondly, let’s look at Welani Chilenga’s Motion, the drama of this week:

“In his notice of a Private Member’s Motion, dated August 1, 2023, Hon Werani Chilenga wants Parliament to resolve that ex-MPs should be receiving a monthly salary at half the amount they were getting at the time of getting out of their position.

It reads: “The Honourable Member for Chitipa South gives notice under Standing Order 74 of his intention to move the following Motion:

“That considering the important service that a Member of Parliament offers to this nation during his/her tenure of office and noting that all Presiding Officers are entitled to some kind of a pension after leaving office, concerned with the lack of any pension arrangement for an ex-MP, this House resolves that ex- MPs should be receiving, on a monthly basis, half of the salary at which they exited for the rest of their lives,” the notice reads.”

According to UK Parliament, the MPs’ pension scheme, called the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund (PCPF), is the pension scheme for MPs. The Fund is actually made up of two schemes – the MPs’ Pension Scheme and also a scheme for Ministers called the Ministerial Pension Scheme.

Thirdly, the good argument is that with an effective retirement or pension plan in place, you can easily reduce the stress you might ordinarily experience regarding your future financial situation. Not having to worry about money means that you don’t have to endure the stress that goes along with it.

Unfortunately, according to fragmented government service delivery, during a research trip to Malawi in 2012, a senior government official commented that nearly two decades after
the government had renewed its commitment to democratic decentralization, the working of local government in Malawi was something of a ‘black box’.

The manner in which many parliamentarians conduct themselves during deliberations in the House of Law leaves a lot to be desired. Malawians are quite aware of what goes on in Parliament and it is a huge disappointment. The same questions and answers are repeated time and again at the expense of sitting allowances.

Therefore, I want to suggest that Members of Parliament in Malawi do not deserve continued half-monthly salary for the rest of their lives because they don’t deserve it. There are no good reasons for spending such a sum of money. In fact, I propose that MPs’ salaries should even be reduced. They are being overpaid.

Fourthly, we acknowledge that some members of Parliament are doing good work, and some remarkable successes are achieved with little money or support. Good laws are being made and deliberated in the Parliament and developmental projects are implemented.

However, the introduction of the pension act to the losing lawmakers is very disturbing, especially at this moment when millions of citizens of this country are struggling to survive every day. It also appears Welani Chilenga’s constituency is one of the least developed constituencies in Malawi and I think it’s all because the Hon member is not developmental conscious.

After all, the general attitude of our National Assembly isn’t good towards reporting for work each time Parliament opens. Leader of the House Richard Chimwendo Banda has defended the House that many lawmakers were absent at the beginning of the Parliament session during the first week due to fuel shortages. I agree that fuel shortages affect many people in the operation of their normal duties, but I wish to disagree with the Leader of the House and point out that this is not the first time we have observed MPs absenting themselves from Parliament, particularly during the first week of the session.

While I argue on this matter, some Members of Parliament are making progress despite few resources and poor systems, facing few incentives to improve performance at
their constituencies.

In conclusion, we recognize the contribution of hardworking MPs working in difficult conditions, in very remote areas. However, their salaries are on the higher side compared to civil servants in Malawi. Besides, we don’t have that kind of money to spend on the majority of lawmakers who are not helping this nation.

Let Hon Welani Chilenga deposit half of his monthly salary in a fixed deposit account or invest now in different businesses before the end of his term.

Human Rights, Malawi

Irritated Rumphi-Chitipa residents storm Malawi Parliament over stalled Nyika road project

Maravi Post Reporter

By Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE (MaraviPost)-Angry people from Chitipa stormed Parliament in demand of the construction of 129 kilometer Rumphi-Chitipa via Nyika road.

Leader of the grouping,Precious Gondwe said the road has been a campaign strategy for all the past regimes.

Gondwe said government by all means should start constructing the road failure which they will come up with a serious action.

Angry Chitipa resident and Nyika road

He said due to the condition of the road young man lost his life as he was hit by a car whilst they fail to divert properly due to the condition of the road.

Receiving the petition Member of Parliament (MP) for Chitipa South, Welani Chilenga said it is very sad that government only promised to construct 20 kilometers from the 129.

Chilenga promised the grouping to take the petition the August house to pursue the issue the road.

At first the grouping refused to give the petition to Chilenga claiming that he has been refusing to help them how to write a petition as well as he abandoned his constituency.

It took the intervention of the Speaker Gotani Hara and other lawmakers to reason with the angry people to consider Chilenga as the best receiver for the petition.

Law and order, Malawi

Lilongwe City council given two months to demolish illegal plots

Maravi Post Reporter

By Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi’s Parliamentary committee on natural resources has gave Lilongwe City Council (LCC) months ultimatum to demolish illegal plots that are being built in the city.

The buildings cited including the one next to Sana Mega that encroached Lilongwe rivers bank and two new buildings in city center next to National Bank of Malawi overshadowed the city roads.

Chairperson for the Committee,Welani Chilenga told the council officials on Wednesday, October 20, 2021 during the meeting on Wednesday ordering the council to demolish the building before the end of this year.

Chilenga observes that the building were built in disregard of the countries law.

In his remarks ,Lilongwe City council, Director of Planning Hillary Kamero agreed with the committee assuring the nation that the council will adhere to the directive.

Kamero disclosed that the council stopped building along Sana site after noticing on encroachment

He however observes that conflict of interetst, power contribute to the wrong distribution, demarcation of the land within the city particularly land under Lilongwe District council.

He assured the committee that will do the needful regarding to the dateline as they do respect the laws.

“Its very hard in the country to stop contractors who are already on site to stop the project but as a council will use the powers invested in us and make things right,” said Kamero.

Law and order, Malawi

Malawi’s Parliamentary conservation caucus wants Kenyatta road construction be stopped for flouting law

Maravi Post Reporter

By Dorica Mtenje

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Parliamentary Conservation Caucus (MPCC) in collaboration with Movement For environmental Action (MEA) has urged Malawi Environmental Protection Authority (MEPA) to cease Kenyatta drive road activity until the proper diligent Environmental Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is done with transparency.

The two want the process to follow proper procedure and must map way forward with all relevant authorities.

MPCC Chairperson Welani Chilenga told journalist in Lilongwe on Tuesday during the media briefing on environmental and social justice.

Chilenga said the six lane road has cause the cutting down of tress carelessly hindering the environment.

“For accountability of the failure of the Roads Authority officials and consultants to respect procedures whether deliberately or by negligence,let the law take its course,” said Chilenga.

He said failure for MEPA to stop the construction project MPCC will use its power invested in them .

Chilenga said currently the construction has caused the cutting down of almost 1000 trees

Concurring with MPCC chairperson, MEA Environmental Assistant Clement Masangano said if not law are to be implemented environment will be preserved.

MPCC was established in 2015 deliberately to deal with issues without following parliament procedures.

Malawi

Malawi Parliament pushes for dissolution of MERA Board

Maneno Chimulala
Natural Resources Committee Chairperson Welani Chilenga

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—The battle between Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) Board and the National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) has turned ugly as Parliament has now adopted the Natural Resources Committee report that seeks the dissolution of International Haulage Broker – IHB and the MERA Board.

MERA and NOCMA are fighting over awarding of fuel contracts and fuel transportation systems, a scenario that is threatening fuel supply in the coming months the country’s reserves has fuel that can only take the country to June 30.

In it’s recommendations, the committee under the leadership of Welani Chilenga wants the MERA Board dissolved saying it is working for the interest of some government officials.

The report also want IHB, a local firm that coordinates fuel transportation in the country dissolved saying it is duping Malawians through 5% it gets from every litre of fuel bought on the station.

Chilenga said MERA and IHB should be investigated.

Budget and Finance committee also made similar recommendations, but Gladys Ganda, Chairperson of the committee, who is also Member of Parliament for Nsanje Lalanje, has called on the President not to fire the MERA Board as proposed by the Committee earlier.

According to Ganda, there is need to investigate NOCMA too before recommending the firing of Mera Board.

Ganda who also worked with Nocma as Deputy CEO told journalists that Nocma should be investigated on the way it is identifying suppliers saying Lake Oil which Nocma has contracted has been declared bankrupt in Tanzania.

Malawi

MERA-NOCMA wrangle recipe for fuel crisis in Malawi- Report

Maneno Chimulala
Fuel crisis looms in Malawi

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Climate Change has predicted a possible fuel crisis in the country following delays by National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) to buy the product.

Chairperson of the Committee, Welani Chilenga, revealed this when presenting a report in Parliament on the process of procurement of fuel by the National Oil Company of Malawi and the role of Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA).

In the report, MERA has been accused of not only influencing NOCMA on companies to be included in the supply of fuel but also forcing NOCMA to change the way of importing fuel.

The committee believes some senior officials are behind MERA’s influence on NOCMA in order for them to benefit from procurement of fuel and that has seen delays in procurement of fuel.

The fuel procurement process which was initially supposed to take four months has taken eight months.

The committee fears that the delays have the potential to lead into a fuel crisis.

It has since recommended that NOCMA should proceed with the procurement of fuel and that MERA should operate as a regulator and not suggesting fuel suppliers to NOCMA.

The committee has also recommended that Anti-Corruption Bureau should investigate the matter and prosecute.

The report further calls on appointing authority to consider reviewing the MERA board following the mess that has been recorded.

The committee has also said the blocker system in the transportation of fuel is not supported by law but it is negatively affecting Malawian transporters.

The committee has since recommended that Malawian transporters should be allowed to operate without challenges.

Environment, Malawi, Top News

Malawi legislators demand all mining activities’ suspension with calls for regulatory agency establishment

Lloyd M’bwana

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Some Malawi’s lawmakers in the ongoing budget Parliament session on Wednesday, May 19, 2021 demanded President Lazarus Chakwera’s Tonse administration to suspend all mining activities amid discontent.

Taking the floor Zomba Central’s Member of Parliament (MP) Bester Awali urged Tonse government to suspend all mining activities until the Mining Regulatory Authority is established.

Awali was responding to the State of the Nation of Address (SONA) which President Chakwera delivered last week.

The lawmaker expressed concern that some mining companies steal minerals by claiming that they are taking out samples for testing.

“All minerals that were taken out of the country as samples but were not brought back after failing tests should be considered sold and appropriate royalties be deposited in Government Accounts. We shall lose more money by letting the mining and extractive industry to do business as usual,” said Awali.

Echoing on the same, Chitipa South legislator Welani Chilenga called for more action in dealing with illegal mining activities happening across the country.

Chilenga expressed worry that in Chakwera’s SONA lacked any direction on the matter saying the President did not talk about curbing illegal mining.

“Malawi is losing close to MK20 million on daily basis through illegal mining taking place at Namizimu in Mangochi, Malingunde in Lilongwe, Vuwa in Nkhotakota and Perekezi in Mzimba,” said Chilenga.

The lawmaker however faulted the ministry of mining for failing to address illegal mining despite the Mines and Minerals Act of 2019 containing stiffer penalties against illegal mining.

Chilenga expressed surprise that the Ministry is now advising Chakwera to establish a Mining Regulatory Authority yet the same ministry rejected the inclusion of the authority in the Mines and Minerals Act.

He argued that even if the authority is formed, it will take many years for the authority to be effective in dealing with illegal mining.

Chakwera in the SONA said government will establish a Mining Regulatory Authority to bring sanity in the mining industry.

Malawi’s extractive industry including mining, forestry, gas and among others pose the country to boost GDP if utilized properly.

Malawi

Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority, Escom in blame game over electricity tariff hike

Maneno Chimulala
Escom officials in a meeting with Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Climate Change

BLANTYRE-(MaraviPost)—In a clear display of arrogance, Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (ESCOM) went ahead with their greedy decision to hike electricity tariffs despite Malawi Energy Regulation Authority (Mera) advising them to put the adjustment on hold.

This has been revealed during an interface with the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Climate Change today Tuesday 27th April, 2021.

According to Welani Chilenga, the committee’s chairperson,  Escom officials told him earlier that the increase was made to bail out the institution from its financial quagmire, and based on the minister of energy’s statement in parliament.

Escom officials have meanwhile failed to produce the statement that the minister allegedly made, which the Committee demanded.

The revelation has left some members of the Parliamentary Committee surprised.

One of the members, Kamlepo Kalua, has described the move and explanations by Escome as “useless” to discuss.

The Committee says it is perplexed on why Malawians should be bailing out people or institutions that are messing up things in their institutions.

Ironically, Mera Consumers Affairs and Public Relations Officer Fitina Khonje told journalists that the decision to hike electricity tariff was made during the electricity tariff review meeting held in February this year.

Khonje also said apart the depreciation of the Malawi Kwacha against major foreign currencies; Mera approved the adjustment to allow ESCOM to carry out its functions effectively.

“The adjustment of the electricity tariff comes about because of two main issues. The first one is that out review of the electricity tariff using the automatic tariff adjustment formula necessitated that the tariff be adjusted upwards by 5.72 percent.

“The formula is applied every month and the aim is to reinstate or restore the value of the tariff that was already agreed on. The second factor is on the based tariff that was agreed to run from 2018 to 2022 and we started implementing in 2018. In 2020, the review showed there should have been an adjustment of tariff based on the based tariff trench,” she explained.

It is yet to be known where Khonje got the powers to comment on the matter in total agreement with Escom while Mera says it did not approve the adjustment.

Business, Environment, Malawi

CISONECC demands transparency on Malawi’s carbon tax special account usage

Lloyd M’bwana
CISONECC National Coordinator Julius Ng;’oma

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The country’s Civil Society Organisation on Climate Change (CISONECC) while recommending Tonse government leadership for creation of special account for funds collected under carbon tax,is demanding transparency on the funds usage.

The demand comes after government succumbed to pressure to create the account unlike previously proceeds deposited into account number one.

Recently, finance officials revealed that MK1.2 billion of carbon levy funds was placed in the consolidated account number one contrary to an earlier commitment to channel the same towards environmental protection.

But in the 2020/2021 fiscal year, the Ministry of Finance has committed to make the Malawi Environmental Protection Authority–MEPA a custodian of the three billion kwacha projected to be collected as carbon tax.

Chairperson of parliamentary committee on Natural Resources and Climate Change, Welani Chilenga has since commended Finance Minister, Felix Mlusu for the move saying the levy will now serve its intended purpose.

CISONECC National Coordinator Julius Ng;’oma told the Maravi Post that the move was his grouping’s demand.

Ng’oma says stakeholders want to be in the known on exact usage of the funds and who will manage the proceeds.

” We commend Government for taking that decision to create a special account for carbon tax for transparency sake. We hope the stakeholders will be made aware once this special account is created and how the account will managed.

“The Government may still need to elaborate on what happens to the funds being collected during the transition period (as we wait for the creation of the special account), especially where will the funds be deposited and what kind of activities will the funds be used for,” says Ng’oma.

He added, “Civil society and other stakeholders demands to be made aware on this for transparency as we know that the Carbon Tax is still being collected through fuel levy.

“We also demand that terms of reference be developed on collection, utilization and management of the collected funds as a way of ensuring there is transparency on management of carbon tax and that the funds are no longer subjected to abuse or missallocation such as support towards activities that are not climate or environmental related. Clear linkages will need to be created between the carbon tax management and the climate change fund”.