Government says the country’s democracy is thriving as people understand their rights and are able to demand development and services that they need from government.
Minister of Information, Civic Education and Communication Technology, Mark Botomani, said this when he, alongside other four cabinet ministers, interfaced chiefs and other local leaders from the district.
The remarks were Friday at Chitipa Boma by the Minister of Information, Civic Education and Communications technology, Mark Botomani when he alongside with other four cabinet ministers interfaced concerns persons and chiefs from the district.
Botomani said government is delighted with people’s understanding of their rights and regard government as a duty bearer.
“Because you understand your rights, you called us to interface with you on various development issues which affect people in this district, hence our presence here so that we interact and map the way forward on the issues,” said Botomani.
He, however, advised the gathering that whilst the citizenry have the right to demand services from government, they should at all costs do that without violence.
“Whatever government pledged to fulfill in this district, will be implemented .Development is a process and sometimes such pledges take long to be implemented.
“But let me assure you that government will address all its programmes earmarked for the district,” he said.
Botoman further said when cabinet ministers speak; they give government’s position on issues which affect the citizenry regardless of regional locations.
The Information Minister said ministers do not lie as doing so is doing a disservice to the government and Malawians themselves.
He said some development projects are delayed due to unforeseeable incidents such as flood disasters which, at times, become life threatening and prompting government to focus on how to save lives of the affected communities, thereby affecting implementation of its planned projects.
“Malawi is one country, as such, government implements various projects across the country with the goal of developing the country as a whole, not basing on regional basis as a criteria,” said Botomani.
He then outlined some of the projects taking place across the country such as Social Cash Transfer, Descent and Affordable Housing Programme and Farm Input Subsidy Programme among others.
Earlier, Minister of Health and Population, Jappie Mhango commended people of Chitipa for being open in voicing what they feel should be done in the district by government.
“We are here to get your concerns so that we take them to the President because it is only through ministers that the president can know and understand issues affecting people here,” said Mhango.
He then called on the people to be free at any time they have burning issues to call for the ministers, saying ministers are servants, not masters of the citizenry.
“You are our employers and there is no time when a servant can become a master of his or her employer, so each time you feel you need us, invite us, we are at your disposal,” said Kaunda.
Among other things, communities in the district are demanding government to address mining issues, build a stadium, a modern market at Chitipa Boma and construction of Chitipa – Ilomba Road.