I pity Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola

 Remarks Minister of Energy Ibrahim Matola made in Dedza on Monday spoiled my day.

When he finally got the microphone to address the delegates who attended the launch of the 20 megawatt Golomoti Solar Power Plant, Matola decided to digress a little bit to respond to criticisms levelled at the government, especially the endless travel by President Lazarus Chakwera.

Unfortunately for the minister, he failed to tame his overzealous tongue and ended up calling critics of the Tonse Alliance government achule, frogs. To be honest, this was a serious statement by the Minister of Energy.

Matola’s gaffe came barely a week after his boss Chakwera announced austerity measures his government has put in place to ensure the meagre resources the country has at its disposal in these tough economic times are prudently used so that critical services, such as provision of critical drugs in public hospitals, are prioriticed, instead of wasting the scare kwacha on useless trips and allowances.

Interestingly, barely a few days after making the pronouncements, which many hailed as the beginning of better days for Malawi, the Office of the President and Cabinet released a programme of events that outlined Chakwera’s three public engagements. The events included the 28th Congregation at the African Bible College (ABC), the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe and the launch of the 20 megawatt JCM Golomoti Solar Power Plant in Dedza.

One wonders why the President, after being commended for announcing strict measures to save the hard-earned taxpayers’ money, decided to hit the road to perform such rudimentary functions.

Why did he not delegate the director of higher education or the Principal Secretary or the minister or deputy minister to preside over the ABC graduation? Unfortunately for Malawians, all these top officials I have mentioned here and a host of others from other government departments and agencies attended the graduation alongside the President. They mercilessly milked the public purse through unjustified allowances for fuel and other things, thereby worsening our plight.

Sadly, in the eyes of one Ibrahim Matola, this is okay. It is okay for the President and top government officials to travel the way they want.

In fact, Matola’s remarks reminded me of one other thing. Cabinet ministers and other overzealous government officials fail to distinguish between a party event and a government function. Maybe Matola’s unfortunate remark could have carried less weight if it were made at a party event. But nay, this was a government event, sponsored by taxpayers, which was attended by distinguished dignitaries, including ambassadors, representatives of donors, etc.

The doctrine of separation of powers does not mean anything to some top government officials like Matola. They open their mouths and yammer anything that comes to mind, without bothering about the significance of the event in the eyes of the world. Party functionaries like Ibrahim Matola should be confined to party issues, not State functions.

By the way, does Matola even realise that his ministry is the worst-performing?

Come on Apongozi Che Matola. First deal with the garbage in your ministry before calling us frogs.

You know that we are often in darkness. Please. Give us reliable electricity.

You also need to resolve the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority CEO recruitment saga and consider hiring a full CEO at the National Oil Company of Malawi.

My Last Comment is: Bwana Matola should apologise to Malawians for calling them ‘achule’. At the time of filing this entry on Tuesday around mid-day, he had not done so. Please, Honourable Minister, apologise, then we can move on.

EPILOGUE

DPP resurrection?

I love the way the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has come out of hibernation in the past two weeks to speak about problems Malawians are facing.

This is what is expected of an opposition party of DPP’s calibre. As government in waiting, you must put the Chakwera administration on a short leash and ensure Dr Laz and his henchmen deliver on their promises.

In doing so, don’t forget to focus on State issues only and not petty politics. It is our welfare at stake here, not politics.

By the way, we are still waiting for you to resolve your leadership wrangles so that you can speak with one voice.

See you next week