Budget suspension may plunge in fiscal crisis—Atupele
Malawi opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) president Atupele Muluzi has warned that the Common Approach to Budgetary Support (Cabs)suspension to the national budget risks plunging the country into deep financial crisis which may also erode the gains made since 2012.
Addressing the press in the commercial city, Blantyre, Atupele said the suspension poses serious challenges to the implementation of the budget for the next eight months.
“It means there will be huge gaps in the public purse. It will not be possible to run government with such a huge gap. This calls for tough choices and decisions,” said Atupele.
He asked the Executive to consider cuts on internal and external travels and other allocations so that government business does not grind to a halt.
“Government must make a statement on this matter, especially with regards to implications on the national budget.
“Government should involve Parliament in this process and during the current sitting the Minister of Finance should also inform the House where cuts are going to be made to finance government business,” he said.
Atupele feared that the aid suspension support will affect the electoral calendar because a huge chunk of financial resources are financed by the donors.
He observed that the suspension of budgetary support shows that government has not shown enough commitment to dealing with issues of financial mismanagement fearing that the consequences will be felt even after May 2014.
He called on the administration of President Joyce Banda to bring to book all suspects in the Capital Hill cash-gate and take immediate action to restore Malawi’s lost credibility.
Mwanayu wapeza pozanamizira akazalowa mboma..Anzokowo atalowa mboma munalibe chilichonse Bingu atasosola, ndiye iwe ukuwopa chani. Uzapange zako nawe and Uzazibenso. Its a routine and we are used to that. Paja anayamba ndi otate wako kuba zaboma.
Government should indeed fasttrack the process to bring all suspects in the current Cashgate scandal to book to restore Donor confidence.But donors are not fools just like those who used to say tivotela wakuba yemweyo in 1994 refering to Atupele Muluzis father,donors confidence can only be there if even court cases for the old CashGate beneficiaries are concluded,i meant the MK1.7 billion donor money that was diverted to Bakili Muluzi personal account at Zomba National Branch.This young boy, Atupele Muluzi thinks all of us Malawians are fools and sleepy so we will smile at hyprocrisy, NOT ME “OVER MY DEAD BODY:.