By Draxon Maloya
The Governance and Advocacy Group (GAG), a consortium of civil society organizations from northern Malawi, has come out in support of President Lazarus Chakwera’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), which has faced criticism from various quarters.
In a statement issued on Friday in Mzuzu, GAG urged Malawians to focus on the valuable information shared in the SONA, rather than being distracted by “trivial distortions” aimed at gaining political advantage.
GAG’s position is in contrast with some irate youths in Karonga the northern border district of Malawi calling themselves Youth for Justice and Development (KYJD), who on Monday directly attacked President Lazarus Chakwera’s State Of National Address (SONA) calling it a mockery.
During a press briefing,the KYJD Executive Director, Steven Simsokwe said almost all the mentioned projects in the SONA are just on paper citing examples of Ilola irrigation which he said is dead but was dumfounded to learn from Chakwera that it has been resurrected.
“Why is Chakwera for telling the nation that his government has resurrected the Ilola Irrigation scheme and Karonga Airport while he is aware that the flights using it were for the officials working for Paradini Limited at Kayerekera Uranium Mine?” queried Simsokwe.
But in a statement GAG’s chairperson, Kinear Mlowoka acknowledged that while not everyone may be satisfied with every outcome, the progress made by the Chakwera administration over the past four years is undeniable.
GAG highlighted several notable achievements, including the revitalization of Lilongwe’s road network, thousands of new clean water connections, and progress in implementing mega farming projects.
The group also commended the government’s efforts in constructing quality school blocks and health facilities, as well as its remarkable performance in delivering security institutional houses and extending electricity connections to rural areas.
Meanwhile, the group has called on President Chakwera to swiftly take action against District Councils that intentionally misrepresented facts presented in the SONA and urged individuals, groups, and political parties to cease and desist from distorting the SONA while challenging the President to continue delivering on his promises for the benefit of all Malawians.
