USAid pumps K12bn to support Parliament

Parliament has launched an $11.6 million (about K12 billion) Parliamentary Support Programme that will help promote development and democracy in the country, courtesy of the United States Agency for International Development (USAid).

The five-year programme is designed to contribute to the country’s democratic governance by supporting Parliament fulfil its legislative, oversight and representative functions.

Speaking during the launch in Lilongwe on Thursday, Speaker of the National Assembly Catherine Gotani Hara said the programme will build the capacity of Parliament to promote democracy and development in the country.

She said Parliament needs to have the capacity to promote development and democracy.

Gotani Hara said: “As Parliament, we need a lot of capacity building. We need a lot of support for our members of staff. For instance, when we deal with Bills, we need support, people that can help us scrutinise Bills better because we want to represent our people better.

“The resources will help Parliament to do its work better. It will help us to do research on different matters, how we can scrutinise the budget better. So, we will get people that have formulated the budget before in this country coming to Parliament to support our members of Parliament on how they can scrutinise the budget better and so many other things.”

She said Parliament has been conducting inquiries, field visits and other activities to follow up on public resources, but financing for such activities has been a challenge.

The programme will provide technical and expert support to parliamentary committees and caucuses, support cross-institutional coordination between Parliament and statutory oversight institutions as well as facilitate collaboration and coordination among Parliament, civil society organisations and the media around public integrity issues, legislative and oversight matters.

USAid acting mission director Teresa McGhie said the programme will support Malawi Government’s ability to provide for its citizens.

She emphasised that the programme will contribute to Malawi’s democratic governance by helping Parliament lay the legal foundation on which the country’s development depends.

“Parliament’s ability to provide checks and balances is critical in deepening democratic governance and increasing accountability. Research and experience show that strong, democratic legislatures contribute to improving development, reducing corruption and prevent democratic backsliding,” said McGhie.

She added that parliament is also key to creating an environment that will see businesses prospering, job creation, protection of environment and improve the public’s well-being.

Parliament is one of the three arms of government which plays a key role in promoting development, rule of law and strengthening democracy.