MPs demand devaluation report

Deliberations in the Mid-Year Budget Review Meeting of Parliament yesterday started on a high tempo after the opposition sought a variation of the Order Paper to pave the way for a discussion on the kwacha devaluation.

In his submission to the House, Leader of Opposition in Parliament Kondwani Nankhumwa said he felt Thursday’s 44 percent devaluation was an important issue considering its far-reaching implication on the economy and livelihoods.

But Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs Simplex Chithyola Banda asked for more time before he could present a statement to the House, which did not go down well with opposition MPs.

Nankhumwa, however, observed that the minister had just presented a statement at a media briefing earlier yesterday and said he could share the same with the House for legislators’ input.

The position got approval from the opposition benches, notably Rumphi East legislator Kamlepo Kaluwa and Thyolo Central MP Ben Phiri.

Phiri described the devaluation as a death sentence to Malawians who require the immediate attention of the House.

He said: “This can’t wait. Let the minister present the report now. We need to have something to tell our people. We are representatives of the people and our people need an explanation.”

But Leader of the House Richard Chimwendo Banda wondered why the Leader of Opposition was raising this issue as urgent when he sits in the Business Committee which schedules business for the House, where he never raised the same.

He told the House that the matter would be tabled today as a matter of priority.

In an interview, Nankhumwa said he could not raise the issue during the Business Committee because it was held before the devaluation was announced by government.