By Sheminah Nkhoma

Lilongwe, December 18, Mana:  President Dr Lazarus Chakwera has addressed key questions surrounding the economy, agriculture and transport from Members of Parliament (MPs).

Speaking Wednesday at Parliament in Lilongwe, the President elaborated on concerns over wasteful spending and excessive borrowing.

He said his government has regained donor confidence, as evidenced by direct budgetary support and the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

He said, the economy has faced significant challenges such as Cholera outbreak, climate change disasters which affected the economy so badly.

“Government will continue to borrow within its limits to ensure provision of essential services to the public and progress is being made in debt restructuring with China, India and other multilateral lenders to ease pressure on public debt,” said Chakwera.

The President was asked asked on why government has no intentions of reversing the law that prioritizes local contractors.

In his response, Chakwera said his administration is committed to ensuring that local contractors are empowered.

He said government will find ways to develop capacity of local contractors to complete projects within the specified time frame and to ensure they deliver standard services.

The Malawi leader was then asked to explain if they are any plans to secure or revamp the country’s own airline to impose air transport in the region.

In his response Chakwera stated that government priorities the expansion of Malawi Airlines to also be going to Mzuzu and Karonga,  a project expected to start in February 2025.

“Government plans to extend Malawi Airlines routes to Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique and Uganda. We are also discussing with Angola, Botswana, Nigeria and Mauritius to add international destinations,” he said.

Chakwera was also asked on plans to ensure timely and effective delivery of the Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP) to which he said government has allocated K94 billion to fund the program.

He informed the house that this year's strategy focuses on prioritizing hard-to-reach areas in the country.

“I am assuring all MPs here that all registered farmers will receive fertilizer within the farming season in all constituencies,” he said.

Chakwera acknowledged that forex shortages has affected the importation of fertilizer that is why in other areas they have not received yet.