DPP ,UDF TRASH BUDGET

Malawi opposition political parties, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and United Democratic Front (UDF), have trashed the national budget saying it is unrealistic and not fair to Malawians.

Contributing to the budget as presented by the minister of finance on 28 May 2021, DPP Spokesperson on Finance Joseph Mwanamveka said the budget is not in line with Malawi 2063 since only 16.5 percent has been allocated to the vision.

Mwanamveka said agriculture productivity and commercialisation, urbanisation and industrialization will be very tough to be fulfilled if the Tonse administration will continue with such kind of budgets.

Mwanamveka added that the current administration is missing some of its promises of bailing out Malawians from financial hiccups, citing low tobbaco prices as a burden to Malawians and that the budget has not tackled how government will employ 1 million youths and how free water and electricity connection will be done.

The former minister of finance has, however, commended the Tonse administration for continuing the implementation of the immediate former president's projects, saying this will help to move Malawi forward.

On the alleged acts of nepotism by the Tonse administration, Mwanamveka said the 60% of the cabinet ministers are coming from one district and said the president should appoint ministers from all corners of Malawi.

He concluded by saying that DPP will surely come back to power and that life will be better again.

On other hand, UDF spokesperson on finance Ishmael Mkumba said the domestic borrowing has risen, warning that the future generation will struggle to pay it back .

He said the budget has not aligned the Tonse agenda.