MPs boycott workshop over fuel allowances
Malawi members of Parliament (MPs) in the Budget and Finance Committee have on three occasions this year contributed to postponement of a donor-funded budget analysis training workshop because of low rate transport allowances.
The workshop, organised by the European Union (EU), was scheduled to be held at the end of October, but was later shifted to November and finally December 16, when it also failed to take place.
In an interview on Tuesday, Speaker of Parliament Richard Msowoya said he was unofficially aware of the workshop, but referred the matter to chairperson of the Budget and Finance Committee Rhino Chiphiko.
On his part, Chiphiko said the discussions between his committee and the organisers have not reached any agreements.
But he said the rate of K99 per kilometre being offered is not feasible.
Said Chiphiko: “We want fuel reimbursements that would be enough for the members. That is all. This [refund] includes wear and tear as well.”
Communication from Chiphiko to Parliament Secretariat dated October 25 2016, which The Nation has seen, says the EU procedure was not feasible because most MPs drive four-wheel-drive vehicles.
The letter, addressed to Parliament principal policy and planning officer Johnston M’dala, reads: “Further to our tele-conversation, I wish to reiterate the stand of the committee with regard to the planned budget analysis training.
“Members of the committee have reaffirmed their position that changing the venue is of no consequence because the issue is about transportation cost reimbursement. Members consider K99 per kilometre not feasible.
“The official car for an MP is an off-road 4×4 double cabin and most of the MPs use this type of a vehicle because of the conditions of roads in the rural areas. It is a fact that the proposed rate will not be adequate for members to put fuel to and from meetings.
“Let it be known that it costs K160 per kilometre, K16 000 daily charge and K6 000 insurance to hire a similar car. I am sure you are aware of this and if anything you can prove me wrong by calling the car hire companies.”
In the letter, Chiphiko said members are not in a position to subsidise the cost of the meeting.
He added: “Members have suggested that you may use other means to fetch them from their constituencies to the venue of the meeting. Parliament may offer transport as they do for field visits. Please communicate the stand of the committee to the donors and training organisers soonest to avoid the cost of hiring the venue etc.”
Chiphiko was responding to Technical Facilitation Unit (TFU) team leader Orison Joseph Chaponda who had communicated on October 21 2016, saying the workshop would be on full board basis and fuel reimbursements would be K99 per kilometre.
Chaponda said the programme will support the training on full board basis whether it takes place in Lilongwe or outside as proposed by the experts.
“There will not be provision of sitting allowance for this training and any other that may follow. The programme will contribute to the transport refund for the participants [whether in Lilongwe or outside] as per the prevailing calculations relating to fuel costs in line with the prevailing guidelines by the sponsor,” he said.
By the time we published the story, EU officials had not responded to our questionnaire.
In August this year, donors complained to the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) over reports that some civil servants shunned workshops or various meetings sponsored by development partners because of full-board arrangements. n
