* Throughout my campaign, I haven’t fought anyone, I didn’t insult anyone — not even calling them names
* I have never fought back any remarks made against me. Let’s do likewise and end the campaign period in peace
* This will give a true picture out there that we don’t entertain any violence. I want a nation where our children grow up with good moral values and humanity
By Steve Chirombo, MANA
President Lazarus Chakwera yesterday said his campaign period has been to engage with the electorates and also unveiling his plans for the next five years.
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He made the sentiments at Golomoti trading centre which is under Dedza Golomoti Constituency in Dedza district during a whistle stop tour where he said his stance throughout the campaign period has been about plans to develop the nation, while calling on everyone to end the campaign period peacefully.
“Throughout my campaign, I haven’t fought anyone, I didn’t insult anyone — not even calling them names. I have never fought back any remarks made against me. Let’s do likewise and end the campaign period in peace. This will give a true picture out there that we don’t entertain any violence,” said the President.
When he wrapped up his tour of the Lower Shire on Wednesday, he preached the same message of peace and patriotism, saying Malawians need to love one another, be transparent and remain united for national building.
He also described himself as a peace-loving leader who will not respond to insults, condemnation: “I want a nation where our children grow up with good moral values and humanity. I am happy our traditional leaders are helping to instill those values and promote development,” Chakwera said.
On development, the President said his government has put in place stringent measures to ensure all development projects being implemented are durable and told business traders at Golomoti that he understands how they feel when prices of commodities keep rising and that some measures were being put in place to lessen the burden.
“That is why we want the National Economic Empowerment Fund (NEEF) to be a bank so that you can access soft loans to boost your businesses,” he said. “Those that accessed the loans before can testify looking at the fruits they are bearing now.”
Chakwera further said government has put in place both immediate and long-term measures to aid Malawians, citing Tsogolo Langa investment account as one long term measure that will enable beneficiaries be financially independent.
“A country that develops not only depends on a few millionaires. But through this account, we will produce more millionaires in the near future who will be able to invest in areas of their interest while also contributing positively to the development of our country.”
The President, however, hailed people of Golomoti for their continued hardworking spirit, saying the only setbacks are the dry spells the area experiences, but said through NEEF, people in the area will now be able to diversify.
He further appealed to those that are charged with facilitating social protection programme and those that provide loans to be transparent so that deserving beneficiaries should benefits as opposed to same small group of people.
He also turned to traders, asking them to avoid raising prices commodities and that they should also desist from hoarding essential commodities on the market, saying this is unfair trading practices.
Chakwera said his running mate, Vitumbiko Mumba observed that some people were hoarding items such as sugar to create artificial demand, push up prices and cause suffering to citizens so that they should turn against him.
Meanwhile, the running mate, Mumba was in Likoma District yesterday where he went to appreciate the challenges faced by the islanders: “President Chakwera sent me here to understand who the people are, what they are going through, their concerns, welfare, and livelihoods.
“The islanders have been resilient and strong people. But as government, we need to do more. That’s why in his manifesto, the President emphasised that no one should be left behind.
“Likoma has long been a neglected district in many respects and the only President who has done remarkable work on this island is Chakwera,” said Mumba, who highlighted that Chakwera’s administration has constructed four health centres to address access to health services, facilitated the ongoing construction of a jetty and pushed commercial banks to open branches in Likoma, among other achievements.
Aspirant Member of Parliament for Likoma, Ashems Songwe appealed to the people not to forget the solid foundation that Chakwera’s administration has laid in the district: “I am appealing to the people of Likoma Island, as we head to the polls on Tuesday, not to forget the solid foundation that President Chakwera’s administration has established in areas such as health, education, security, justice, energy, and infrastructure,” said Songwe.
He added that these foundations would help unlock the potential of the tourism and fishing industries, paving the way for real and meaningful wealth creation that can directly benefit the hardworking people of Likoma.
Acting Senior Chief Mkumpha III President Chakwera for delivering various development projects in his five-year tenure in which he strengthened the justice system, health, education and infrastructure on the island district.
“As we speak, we now have a court in Likoma,” he said. “Previously, we had to travel to Nkhata Bay to access justice, but now Chakwera has given us our own court. We also have hospitals built at Mbungo and Yofu, and more than twelve classroom blocks constructed under his administration.”
He also praised the government for the ongoing construction of a modern port, which he said will ease transport challenges and for providing X-ray machines and scanners to improve healthcare delivery in the district.
Traditional Authority Kabuthu of Chizumulu likewise expressed gratitude for the developments brought to the island, particularly in education, but appealed for more support in addressing hunger and transport challenges.
“We are asking the President, through you, to build us a port because we too are facing transport challenges like our friends in Likoma. The Ilala is becoming too small, so we are requesting additional water transport,” said Kabuthu.—Reporting from Likoma by Ireen Mseteka & Kennedy Minjale; Edited by Maravi Express
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