President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has said the government will see to it that family members of people who perished in the Nthungwa plane crash on 10 June 2024 are not left to destitution.
Chakwera made the remarks on Tuesday at Lunjika Turn off in Mzimba district, when he led Malawians in remembering former Vice president Dr Saulos Chilima and eight others who lost their lives when the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Plane aircraft crashed in Nthungwa within Viphya Plantation in NkhataBay.
The President disclosed that after the crash and the burial of the people who died in the plane crash, he held meetings with all the family members.
” I held meetings with the members of the families to assure them that as government we will not allow them to suffer. As Government, we will ensure their welfare is guaranteed”,he said.
The President also hailed all Malawians for grieving the loss of former Vice President Saulos Chilima and eight others peacefully and in grace, despite some disinformation and misinformation that surrounded the news of the plane crash.
He also said there have been three reports on the incident First Report done by medical doctors, Second Report by the Commission of Inquiry on the role of various agencies and the Third report by Germany investigators.
“All these reports have given insight and lessons on how government agencies ought to work to ensure prevention and preparedness”, he said.
The President also said government will name the new six lane road under construction after Saulos Chilima.
He also acknowledged all memorial services being conducted by families across all the district as part of national memorial services.
In his remarks, Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Richard Chimwendo Banda said they plan to turn Nthungwa forest where the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) plane crashed into a national monument for the remembrance of the nine people who died in the crash.
Bishop for Mzuzu diocese Suzgo Nyirenda called upon Malawians to love one another in remembering the plane crash .
The memorial ceremony, held under the theme ‘the Blessedness of unwavering patriotism’ was attended by church leaders, traditional leaders and people from all walks of life.
