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Malawian envoy expresses optimism over passing of suspended budget

Malawian envoy expresses optimism over passing of suspended budget
By Laura Mushaukwa
Tuesday July 08, 2008 [04:00]

MALAWIAN High Commissioner to Zambia Dr Chrissie Mughogho has expressed optimism that her country's budget which was suspended last year in Parliament after parliamentarians refused to debate it will be passed. Dr Mughogho's comment comes in the wake of the budget crisis that has plagued Malawi.

The budget vote was suspended on July 24, 2007 after opposition parties, the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) who hold the majority of seats in Parliament refused to debate the budget until a standoff over the defection of their members to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led by President Bingu wa Mutharika had been resolved. The government is currently being funded from a monthly skeleton budget.

In an interview at her residence during a reception to celebrate Malawi's 44th independence on Sunday, Dr Mughogho expressed hope that the budget impasse would be averted because the clergy in that country were mediating over the issue.

"We are very hopeful that very soon the mediations are going to have a breakthrough. No matter how long it will take, we are hopeful that it will be passed," she said.

And in her independence message, Dr Mughogho wished President Levy Mwanawasa, who is hospitalised in France, a speedy recovery.

She also disclosed that plans were underway to create a Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (TFCA) between Lukusuzi National Park in Zambia and Kasungu National Park in Malawi.

Dr Mughogho noted that the TFCA would foster joint wildlife and biodiversity conservation by allowing free movement of tourists between the two parks.

She revealed that Malawi had registered outstanding performance on the food security and economic fronts.

"In Malawi, we had surpluses for three growing seasons, we had a surplus of half a million metric tonnes of maize in 2005/2006 season, 1.5 million metric tonnes in 2006/2007 season and despite the floods that hit some areas of the country, we still managed half a million metric tonnes of surplus maize this year (2007/2008 season)," revealed Dr Mughogho.

She explained that Malawi had attained growth rates of over seven per cent for three successive years and was forecast to register a higher growth rate of 7.5 per cent in 2008.

And information minister Mike Mulongoti stressed the need for unity between Zambia and Malawi, if economic and social development was to be achieved.

"In the face of today's globalised economy, Zambia and Malawi could only have a positive impact on the world economy if they joined forces to compete with other world economic players," said Mulongoti.

Labels: BUDGET, MALAWI

posted by MrK @ 3:44 AM