MALAWI ECONOMIC WOES NEEDS AND REQUIRES PATRIOTIC LEADERS THAT ARE PREPARED TO SWALLOW A BITTER PILL AND BE READY TO SACRIFICE THEIR HONEY MOON:
Listening to the mid-term budget presented by
minister of finance Chithyola Banda one can visibly realize that President Lazarus Chakwera is a clueless leader who has run out of ideas about the welfare of the country and the people.
The entire budget continued to depend on IMF and World Bank and this government cannot read the writing on the wall that these Brettonwoods institutions are playing chess with Malawi government and all its people.
On the recovery plan it is blank there is nothing tangible that is adopted to resuscitate our economy.
Benchmarks that are departure points towards economic recovery are not mentioned or listed either.
President Lazarus Chakwera visibly showed that he has no clue on how this economy can be turned around when he told the nation that he has instructed the finance minister to put up modalities over how his government can resuscitate the country’s economy that has been nosediving ever since he ascended into power.
President Lazarus Chakwera is running this country as an absent landlord who cannot be on the ground to face consequences or feel the heat.
A president who cannot sit down with his ministers formulating methods is not fit to administer the affairs of the country.
President Lazarus Chakwera was supposed to lead by example by directing his minister of finance and the entire cabinet that the first step towards economic recovery is hard-core austerity measures which starts with state house and cabinet at Capital Hill.
Any government that is seriously committed to resuscitate an ailing or collapsing economy like ours must be prepared and get ready for sacrifices.
In the case of a government that has been reckless and extravagance in 4 years to borrow over MK12.5 Trillion in a space of 36 months must rise up to the occasion and impose self-punishment policies that must reduce each and every expenses starting with cabinet trimming from 28 to 14.
Reduce the number of principal secretaries most of who are just reading newspapers in offices.
An economy that is falling cannot afford 65 principal secretaries.
Cannot afford a bloated presidential advisors, bloated entourage and a convoy of over 30 vehicles per trip.
This was the time when among the above precautionary measures the president could announce salary cuts, freezing of allowances and fuel or airtime allocations to all political officers.
The President and his cabinet was supposed to cut their salaries to 50%.
All international and local trips be suspended save for emergencies and compassionate grounds only.
The same appeal the president must ask parliament to follow suit and extend to the Judiciary.
These are points of departure towards economic resuscitation and recovery.
From here President Lazarus Chakwera must tighten all monetary transactions and see to it that all money borrowed or collected through taxes be specifically used for investment and production.
With these measures this country country can turn around in less than 24 months.
Unfortunately we have a president who care less and has no clue about governance and state affairs.
Our economy is in intensive care unit [ICU] it is dying, we need to send it to the theatre and be operated.
These above are what can bring to life Malawi’s economy to life.
Fiscal discipline and prudence is what Malawi more than ever needs right now.
This is part of the economic recovery measures that the Revolutionary party will adopt to change the political and economic trajectory.
Bantu Saunders Jumah
President
MUVI WA CHILUNGAMO REVOLUTIONARY PARTY.
