Parliament lacks research capacity

Despite holding massive volumes of information which can benefit the general public, Parliament does not have needed research competence on its functions.

This was revealed during a public lecture at University of Malawi’s Chancellor College (Chanco) organised by First Deputy Speaker Esther Mcheka Chilenje Nkhoma last Friday.

Chilenje Nkhoma said Parliament had only two researchers servicing about 15 parliamentary committees, a development research experts have described as risky.

“Parliament does not have the necessary research capacity despite the volumes and volumes of information,” she said.

But upon realising the deficiency, Chilenje Nkhoma said Parliament embarked on working with stakeholders such as universities and colleges that have capacity to assist in research issues.

The first deputy speaker also said such institutions could also play a pivotal role in ensuring that Malawians know what “Parliament is, does and is supposed to do.”

On his part, Chancellor College principal Dr Richard Tambulasi observed that over the years Parliament had been a living laboratory of the college’s researchers and had enriched its teaching and learning.

While emphasizing on the significance of the lecture in the current political dispensation, Tambulasi observed that parliaments should be forums for articulation of citizens’ interests.

This was the first public lecture organised by Parliament before going to the rural masses.