Re-open Admarc markets—Nankhumwa
Leader of Opposition in Parliament Kondwani Nankhumwa has issued a 14-day ultimatum asking President Lazarus Chakwera to direct the reopening of all Admarc markets.
He noted that maize is currently expensive for most Malawians and that opening Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (Admarc) markets will enable Malawians to access cheap maize.
Nankhumwa, who is also one of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential aspirants, was speaking during a whistlestop tour in some parts of Blantyre on Friday.
He said: “A 50 kilogram bag of maize is currently selling at about K40 000 which most poor Malawians cannot afford. A good leader was supposed to provide solutions to current maize prices.
“I, therefore ask President Lazarus Chakwera to open all Admarc markets within 14 days.”
However, Nankhumwa could not indicate the specific action he will take if government fails to reopen Admarc markets within 14 days.
However, Minister of Information and Digitisation Moses Kunkuyu, who is also government spokesperson, said government is aware of the maize situation in the country.
He said government is methodical and is planning to re-open the Admarc markets soon.
“Announcements will be made shortly on what plans government has put in place to address the maize price and its accessibility in the country,” he said.
During the two-day whistle-stop tour, Nankhumwa addressed people at Mdeka, Lirangwe and Lunzu trading centres as well as Chileka, Chirimba and Chilomoni townships on Friday. On Saturday he addressed a rally in Mpemba, Bangwe and Ndirande townships.
Some of the notable faces who accompanied Nankhumwa included his wife Getrude, who is member of Parliament (MP) for Blantyre Kabula, Blantyre North MP Francis Phiso, Blantyre City South East MP Sameer Suleman and former minister of Homeland Security Cecelia Chazama.
In his speech at Mdeka on Friday, Phiso said DPP members are not shaken with the endorsement of former President Peter Mutharika to lead the party in the 2025 Presidential Election.
