Parliament Moves to Probe Issues Fueling Public Frustration

Parliament has launched a broad oversight drive to investigate issues that have raised public concern over the performance and management of government institutions and parastatals.

Speaking during a press conference in Lilongwe on Wednesday, Speaker of Parliament Sameer Suleiman said Parliament had a responsibility to protect public resources, strengthen accountability and restore confidence in public institutions.

Suleiman said several parliamentary committees had been directed to investigate matters including the Amaryllis Hotel controversy, pension fund administration, electricity blackouts, passport processing, prison conditions, mining and minerals, and delays in major public projects.

He directed the Public Accounts Committee to investigate the Amaryllis Hotel issue and submit its report within seven days.

Suleiman said Parliament would consider further action if the committee’s findings failed to address concerns raised by Malawians.

“If Malawians will not be satisfied with the report, Parliament will intervene to look for the best solution going forward,” he said.

The Speaker said Parliament would use joint committees where issues required expertise from different parliamentary committees.

Among the matters to be investigated is the alleged NOCMA fraud payment saga, which will be examined by the Natural Resources Committee together with other relevant committees.

Parliament will also investigate delays surrounding the Salima-Lilongwe Waterway Project, with the Budget, Transport and Government Assurance Committees expected to work together on the matter.

The Budget, Public Accounts and Social and Public Affairs Committees will jointly scrutinise the management of pension funds.

Other investigations will focus on electricity blackouts, passport processing and alleged corruption within the Department of Immigration, court management and delays in delivering judgments, prison conditions, and challenges affecting the mining and minerals sector.

Suleiman said the committees would be expected to establish facts, identify weaknesses and recommend measures to address the concerns.

He further said Parliament would follow up on the recommendations to ensure that the investigations lead to concrete action.

The Speaker stressed that publication of the committee reports would not be the end of the process, saying Parliament would assess the findings and take appropriate action to address issues affecting Malawians.