…accuses government of regionalism
Members of Parliament from the Southern Region of Malawi on Tuesday convened at the Southern Region Farmers Fertilisers Revolving Fund offices to demand a share of 5,000 tons of top-dressing fertiliser Urea which was earmarked to be moved to Central Region.
The vigil which turned into a carnival included a group cook out commonly referred to as “mmemo” yielded government immediate response as they were promised 3,000 tons were to be immediately dispatched to all areas in the region.
The Investigator in December reported that SFFFRM was withholding stocks that were to be moved to Central Region and farmers in the region under the Affordable Inputs Programme- a government subsidy programme in the region have not been able to access the commodity.
Last week farmers in Chiradzulu district demonstrated against the programme demanding return of the K30,000 they had paid to access the input.
Fyness Jolobala, spokesperson of the legislators who had camped at the fertiliser company confirmed that 3,000 tons will be dispatched from today.
“We were demonstrating on behalf of our constituents,” said the MP.
Activist Bon Kalindo who is demanding resignation of President Lazarus Chakwera and his deputy Saulos Chilima for failing Malawians also appeared at the vigil.
Malawi Human Rights Commission has sent investigators to assess the parliamentarians’ concerns.
