DPP MP criticises govt on relief maize, Fisp
Blantyre North member of Parliament (MP) Francis Phiso (Democratic Progressive Party-DPP) on Thursday received rare applause from the opposition in Parliament when he demanded an explanation for the lack of Analystrelief maize distribution in his constituency.
Phiso was reacting to a motion moved by Mzimba West MP Harry Mkandawire (People’s Party-PP) asking government to outline plans for distribution of relief maize to areas affected by hunger and when distribution of inputs under Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp) would begin.
Phiso’s contribution to the motion was a rare occurrence as the government backbenchers do not usually comment on contentious issues.
Starting on a good note, praising the government for starting maize distribution last month, Phiso attracted the attention of the opposition benches when he said the good gesture was yet to reach his constituency.
He said: “People in the villages are surviving on mangoes.”
As he spoke, some opposition MPs started urging him on with ‘ehe’ each time he mentioned a name of a village head.
This prompted Second Deputy Speaker Clement Chiwaya to declare that the behaviour was irregular. However, they did not stop.
He said: “I want to express my disappointment with the Malawi Vulnerability Assessment Committee [Mvac], they just come to the markets to check availability of maize there and declare my constituency food-sufficient. They need to do better than that.”
Before tea break, Chiwaya announced that there would be a caucus for MPs from DPP, United Democratic Front (UDF) and independents. n
