The Office of the Second Vice-President says it is yet to access direct funding and is in the meantime relying on the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) for its operations.
Principal Secretary in the Office of the Second VP Madalo Nyambose said in an interview yesterday that since the office was newly created, no budget vote was allocated for its activities.
However, she expressed hope that the budget review in progress in Parliament would include a vote for the office.
Her sentiments follow concerns from some stakeholders that questioned Second VP Enock Chihana’s frequent travel, arguing that it contradicted the government’s newly announced austerity measures that, among others, restrict travel.
his visit last week. l Nation
Said Nyambose: “The Office of the Second Vice- President so far has no vote nor is it a cost centre to
receive funding directly from the Ministry of Finance, Economic Planning and Decentralisation. Therefore, the office has not received any funding.
“However, the Office of the President and Cabinet has provided logistical support towards operations of the office. The Office of the President and Cabinet is expected to support the OSVP until the budget is provided.”
On concerns about Chihana’s travels, she said the office is delegated and most of his duties fall under such delegated functions.
Nyambose di smi ssed assertions that the Second VP might be overriding the responsibilities of the Minister of Local Government through his engagements with vendors, traditional and religious leaders among others, saying: “The Second Vice-President was articulating the overall government policy direction to the people. The policies he was covering cut across government, including councils. You are aware the Second Vice-President is a delegated office. It is correct that the Second Vice-President has been using personal resources for some of his activities.”
On Sunday, Human Rights Defenders Coalition chairperson Michael Kaiyatsa
faulted Chihana’s frequent travel, arguing it undermined the austerity measures the government is trying to enforce. He urged the office to adhere to the same measures.
Chihana has made about 15 trips to the Central and Northern regions and more recently in the Southern Region.
He has been to Kasungu, Mzuzu, Rumphi, Chitipa, Nkhata Bay and Karonga as well as Chikwawa for “thank you” rallies along with his alliance partner, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).
Chihana was appointed by President Peter Mutharika last month after winning the September 16 General Election.
He becomes the second person in Malawi’s history to occupy the position of Second Vice-President, following in the footsteps of his late father, Chakufwa Chihana, who served in the role in the early years of multiparty democracy.
His appointment followed a pre-election alliance between his Alliance for Democracy and DPP and the appointment is provided for under Section 80(5) of the Constitution which provides that where the President deems it fit in the national interest, s/he can appoint a second vice-president from an opposition party
