Give us more money – MPs demand

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Malawi Parliament

Days after Members of Parliament (MPs) forced the house to be adjourned by demanding K3 million loans, the legislators have now asked for more allocation to parliamentary committees.

The MPs have argued that the K9 billion allocation for the national assembly cannot help improve the country hence an additional K4 billion might be needed.

Zomba-Changalume legislator John Chikalimba told the house on Monday that the legislature has ceased to be an arm of government due to poor funding.

Malawi Parliament
Malawi Parliamentarians want more money.

Chikalimba added that the development is worrisome as the committee members now meet twice in the financial year yet they need to have four meetings during that period.

Concurring with Chikalimba, Malawi Congress Party (MCP) MP for Salima North-West Jessie Kabwila cited a SADC study which said Malawi is among countries that does not adequately fund their national assemblies.

Minister of finance Goodall Gondwe has since hit back at the parliamentarians for pushing their own interests in the August house.

The development is most likely going to irk Malawians who are already upset with the fact that Parliament was disabled over monetary issues.