Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Taonga Sabola
Published on 2024-03-19 07:06:05
Opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmaker for Chitipa South Constituency, Werani Chilenga, recently spoke out about the state of the opposition in Parliament during a discussion on the 2024-25 national budget. Chilenga, a former minister in the DPP administration, criticized the opposition for being “too divided, disjointed, scattered, and disoriented.”
In his remarks, Chilenga highlighted the internal conflicts within the opposition, stating that some opposition lawmakers are busy opposing their colleagues instead of focusing on challenging the ruling party. He compared this situation to a country engaged in a civil war, noting that a nation cannot win an external war if it is already divided internally.
Regarding the budget, Chilenga praised the alignment of the 2024-25 budget with the State of the Nation Address delivered by President Lazarus Chakwera at the beginning of the budget session. He dismissed concerns raised by some lawmakers about the budget, suggesting that their objections may be driven by a desire to maintain their positions within their political parties.
However, Zomba Mtonya lawmaker Ned Poya raised concerns about the significant funds allocated to the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) in the budget, totaling around K160 billion for the upcoming year. Poya also called on Finance Minister Simplex Chithyola Banda to consider allocating resources to support caregivers working in early childhood development centers.
Mzimba North lawmaker Yeremiah Chihana also criticized the budget, specifically pointing out what he perceived as an “inequitable distribution of resources.” Chihana’s concerns focused on the allocation of funds and resources to different regions, highlighting disparities in resource distribution.
Overall, Chilenga’s comments shed light on the challenges facing the opposition in Parliament, particularly the need for unity and cohesion in order to effectively challenge the ruling party. The discussion on the budget highlighted various concerns and priorities among lawmakers, underscoring the importance of transparent and equitable resource allocation to address the diverse needs of the population.
As Parliament continues to debate and scrutinize the budget, it is essential for lawmakers to collaborate, communicate effectively, and prioritize the interests of the citizens they represent. By working together and addressing internal divisions, the opposition can better advocate for the needs of the people and hold the government accountable for its expenditures and policies.
Read the original article on The Times
