President Lazarus Chakwera says his administration remains committed to its drive to turn Malawi into a self-reliant and inclusively wealthy nation.
In his address during the 59th Independence Anniversary Celebrations at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe yesterday where Tanzania President Samia Suluhu Hassan was the guest of honour, he said despite facing numerous challenges including Cyclone Freddy in March this year and the Covid-19 pandemic which, coupled with what he described as an inherited financial mismanagement from the previous government three years ago, his administration remains focused on ensuring that the country transitions to a nation that offers equal opportunities for personal advancement and sustainable national development.
“We are driven by a collective purpose to attain a self-reliant and inclusively wealthy nation,” said Chakwera.
He said the resolve to develop the nation has seen Malawi work on strengthening its relations with neighbouring countries such as Tanzania and rekindled its development partnerships.
Said the President: “Our resolve to pursue shared prosperity despite our misfortunes is the reason we have invested heavily in creating an enabling environment for the prosperity that is coming tomorrow by rolling out the most ambitious road and rail construction projects in recent memory.
“This is why everywhere you go in this city [Lilongwe] or any region of the country, you find Malawi looking like a construction site.”
Chakwera further said government has invested in the energy sector to power the industrialisation drive critical to creating economic growth.
In her remark, Hassan said Malawi and Tanzania have common challenges which led the two countries to have a Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation to coordinate cooperation in various areas such as agriculture and the fight against cross-border crimes, drug and human trafficking.
And speaking during a State banquet that Chakwera hosted in her honour at Kamuzu Palace on Wednesday night, the Tanzanian President also called for the need for the two countries to step up their collaboration in fighting their common challenges.
She said: “We need to double our efforts in this regard if we are determined to ensure sustainable peace and security progress in our countries. My government will remain committed in providing necessary facilitation for furthering of our cooperation.”
Soon after the two heads of State arrived at the Bingu National Stadium yesterday, the Malawi Defence Force started the programme with some performances followed by the Malawi Police Service.
The climax came when Ingoma from Mzimba took to the floor and two Ngoni paramount chiefs, M’Mbelwa V of Mzimba and Inkosi ya Makhosi Gomani V of Ntcheu could not help it, but join in. Chakwera also joined followed by Vice-President Saulos Chilima and former Veep Khumbo Kachali, themselves ngonis
The traditional dances were preceded by performances by the Great Angels Choir, Symon and Kendall, Eli Njuchi, Skeffa Chimoto, and the Black Missionaries.
President Hassan arrived in the country on July 5 and visited Lilongwe City Council Civic Centre where she signed in the visitor’s book, among others.
Today, she is expected to hold bilateral talks with Chakwera at Kamuzu Palace before travelling to Blantyre where she visit some Cyclone Freddy sites before leaving the country.
