By Demetria Banda
The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP), the governance arm of Episcopal Conference of Malawi has expressed concern over the Malawi government’s delay to heed the cry of its citizens over the rising cost of living.
CCJP has expressed the concern through a statement dated 8th of December, 2021 signed by the CCJP’s National Coordinator, Mr. Boniface Chibwana titled “HEED THE CRY OF THE PEOPLE; THE CALL OF MOSES” which is extracted from Exodus 3:7 “I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering,”.
In the statement, CCJP has expressed concern on a number of issues which includes the prevailing undesirable socio-economic situation in Malawi which has left many poor people hopeless and troubled, that gives clear indication that the new government is slowly but surely losing direction and public trust.
“The existence of social injustices perpetrated, tolerated or neglected by those governing is an insult to the foundations of the Christian faith. Failure by the majority of Malawians to afford basic needs is unfriendly to the social and economic development of our society; a real threat to the sanctity and essence of human life. God expects any leadership to do all it can to promote social justice for the people, His creation. When there is grave injustice in any society there is serious violence to people’s rights and dignity,” reads part of the statement.
CCJP also said the rising cost of living in the country is a threat to the enjoyment of basic human rights.
“We take cognizance of the fact that the situation may be as a result of global economic phenomena that have adversely affected the domestic macroeconomic environment. This notwithstanding, CCJP reiterates that the Government is obligated to cushion and protect the poor from such socio-economic shocks. With the poverty levels still very high in Malawi the current rising cost of living has potential to further throw many households in abject poverty. Merely preaching austerity measures and calling for patience from the citizenry by the Government is a mockery to human dignity and is tantamount to Government’s abrogation of its duties. It is deplorable that the prevailing social protection mechanisms do not comprehensively include marginalized groups like persons with disabilities, the elderly and the urban poor,” said CCJP.
While appreciating the Government’s efforts to rectify the defects rocking the public health sector, CCJP said that the authorities have not been transparent and accountable as shortage of drugs in public health facilities is a potential death trap because the majority of Malawians rely on the public health system.
“Reports of shortage of essential drugs and medical commodities amid questionable expiry of drug stocks at the Central Medical Stores Trust (CMST) raise critical health governance questions. It is clear that regular monitoring and auditing of the drug supply chain management was seriously wanting to allow drugs worth K2 billion expire at the CMST while the drug management institution is also reported to have incurred huge debts. The situation is worrisome and calls for urgent accountability actions by relevant duty bearers,”
CCJP further calls for the depoliticization of the Affordable Input Programme (AIP) to ensure its effectiveness and efficiency.
“It is imperative to appreciate and note the efforts by the Government in the management of the AIP in a bid to enhance food security in Malawi. Nevertheless, the uncertainties surrounding the smooth implementation of the social protection initiative regarding the Government’s contractual agreement with suppliers, logistical arrangements, pricing, availability and accessibility of the inputs are a great threat to the livelihood of many. Security of the AIP commodities is another apprehension in light of reports of theft of the inputs in some areas in the country,”
CCJP also expressed worry over delays in procurement of maize by ADMARC saying It is common knowledge that institutional lapses at the national grain marketer, ADMARC, automatically worsen farm produce market availability and accessibility to the majority of farmers especially those in hard-to-reach and remote areas. CCJP said this will lead to the economic exploitation of most poor farmers.
CCJP also said that the continued failure by the Government and appropriate authorities to take concrete action on the fuel procurement mess entails potential rent-seeking and corruption.
“We are deeply saddened with the reported mess in the fuel procurement at the parastatal, National Oil Company of Malawi (NOCMA) as local transporters are still being sidelined and their voices ignored. CCJP feels that the lack of transparency and accountability in the shady introduction of a new fuel procurement system at NOCMA smacks of a slap in the face of ordinary and hardworking Malawians who deserve a good business environment. We have also noted with concern that despite efforts by the local haulage to have NOCMA officials use Ex-tank system of procuring fuel, NOCMA officials have gone ahead to introduce new system called DPU which was not part of the bidding document.”
CCJP said Tonse Alliance Government was voted into power because its campaign promises gave hope to most Malawians regarding being taken out of dehumanizing levels of poverty. But in less than two years all citizens, except for the few well connected, all that hope is lost
“Citizens don’t even know where the country is going. Recent street demonstrations are but just the beginning of the manifestation of people’s hopelessness, feeling of having been betrayed and their anger. The citizens’ anger is fueled by the general perception that the country lacks decisive leadership. We pray that while citizens have a right and duty to express their dissatisfaction with the performance of their government everything should be done according to laws of the land,” CCJP concluded.
According to the statement, CCJP has called on government to a number of actions including That it should monitor and audit drug management system in the country including procurement, institute inclusive and transparent social protection mechanisms to cushion the poor from the social economic hardships , match its decorated local and international speeches with actions that would benefit Malawians and that the Government should heed the cry of the citizens most of whom have lost hope in the current Government’s ability to live up to its campaign propaganda – let alone lift them out of their daily worsening living conditions. The growing frustration and loss of hope by citizens should be addressed as matter of urgency.