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| National |
| Bingu warns MPs on time wasting |
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by
Edwin Nyirongo, 23 February 2007
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04:54:34
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President Bingu wa Mutharika has warned Members of Parliament that they should not expect extension of their deliberations if they spend time tackling less important issues in the House, The Nation has learnt.
Briefing his Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators on Sunday, Mutharika is reportedly having said time for wasting money is gone—an issue that was confirmed by Information Minister Patricia Kaliati in an interview yesterday.
“Mutharika told us that government spends about K20 million per week when Parliament is in session and that he could not afford to spend money for more than the four week planned period,” said a source who attended the caucus.
According to the source, the President—who was said to be in jovial mood unlike when he was chairing previous meetings—said he would this time take action on people who hinder progress in the House, saying he is tired of pleading with such people .
The source said Mutharika told the MPs that he would go to the radio and television to disclose names of the people.
Another source said Mutharika told the meeting that all questions regarding the fertiliser subsidy programme should be channelled to Uladi Mussa because he was Minister of Agriculture.
“The opposition should channel their questions to him because he was responsible for that [Agriculture],” Mutharika is reported to have said.
The President is also reported to have said Finance Minister Goodall Gondwe would have to go through a convention if he wants to be on the ballot with him during the 2009 elections.
Mutharika reportedly told the caucus that he is in good books with Gondwe and that he knows him better than many people.
The source also said ministers from the North took turns denying they were part of MPs who recently threatened to join the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) if Gondwe is not appointed Mutharika’s 2009 running mate.
Kaliati yesterday refused to fully comment on what was discussed during the caucus.
She only corroborated Mutharika’s stand that Parliament will not continue beyond the planed four weeks because there is no money.
“If four weeks passes without finishing the deliberations, then it will end there. Where is the money to waste?” she asked.
The minister also said Uladi Mussa should be the right person to answer questions regarding the fertiliser subsidy because he was responsible for the programme. She also had no comment on Gondwe’s 2009 candidacy as the President’s running mate.
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