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| National |
| Review NIB operations — Aleke |
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by
Zainah Liwanda, 20 September 2004
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19:23:23
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People’s Progressive Movement (PPM ) president Aleke Banda has called for a review in the mandate of the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB), arguing that in the new democratic dispensation, there are no political dissidents to spy on.
In his response to the 2004/2005 budget on Friday, Banda called for the reduction in the allocation to NIB and that resources saved should be directed to the police in order to improve the efficiency of crime detection and provide security.
“Mr, Speaker Sir, I am concerned that the National Intelligence Bureau retains an allocation of K125 million. In our new democratic dispensation, there are no political dissidents to spy on. I recommend, therefore, that we review the mandate of the NIB as a matter of urgency and reduce the allocation to this vote,” he said.
Banda said the resources saved should also be directed to the judiciary for effective prosecution of cases.
He noted that the major problem relating to national budgets was failure to implement the budgets.
“Mr, Speaker Sir, I think it is fair to note that all former finance ministers have presented sound budgets to Parliament. The problem is not in the design of the budget, it is the failure to implement the budget. It’s a sad reality that while everyone acknowledges that the budget must be implemented as programmed, many people want to overspend on low-priority areas,” he said.
Banda then urged the minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security to provide passport facilities in Mzuzu to save the people of the Northern Region from robbers whom, he said travel to all the way to Lilongwe to obtain passports.
He said apart from that, they spend money on accommodation, queue at the immigration offices for days and are, in the process, often robbed by thieves.
Banda also noted that Nkhata Bay is one of the few districts in Malawi with hospitals that were built before independence, at Chintheche and the Boma and therefore requested government to build new hospitals.
On his recent meeting with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Rodrigo de Rato in South Africa, Banda told the House that he briefed Rato on the poverty levels, especially the serious economic problems that Malawi has gone through during the last three to four years and what caused them.
“Mr, Speaker Sir, please allow me to report to the House briefly about my visit to Johannesburg, South Africa last week. I was invited by the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Mr. Rodrigo de Rato for discussions. I told Mr. Rato that though I was one of the opposition leaders in Malawi and despite the fact that the elections were being challenged in court, I believed the new administration had started well and the president had made several bold and prudent decisions,” said Banda.
He further told the House that he requested the IMF to shorten the duration of the Staff Monitored Programme in order to maintain the momentum and consolidate the gains made.
“I argued that if donor resources were delayed until next year, it would be difficult to stabilise the Malawi economy and achieve growth,” said Banda.
Banda, however, said while Rato appreciated the request, he emphasised the need for Malawi to regain credibility and establish a good track record.
On food security, Banda, while applauding government for allocating K2.5 billion for the Targeted Inputs Programme and implementing a general fertiliser subsidy, said there was need for details on how it would be funded and implemented.
“I agree entirely that we must prioritise food security. When I held the agriculture portfolio, we designed and implemented a Starter Pack Programme. This was despite opposition from the donor community and many in Parliament. Well, it worked,” said Banda.
On civil servants’ salaries, Banda said much as he welcomes the initiative to consolidate allowances into the basic wage, he believed that without tax changes, the real effect of the salary increase would be minimal, especially in the middle band, where most civil servants fall.
Banda also applauded President Bingu wa Mutharika for renaming Lilongwe International Airport, Central Hospital and Chichiri Stadium after the former head of state, the late Hastings Kamuzu Banda, saying it is a fitting recognition of historic role that Kamuzu Banda played as father and founder of the Malawi nation.
“Mr, Speaker Sir, may I take this opportunity to congratulate Mrs Mary Nangwale on her much deserved appointment as the first female Inspector General of Police in Africa. I wish her every success,” said Banda.
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