National Budget worries APAM

By Hosea Banda………

Association of People with Albinism in Malawi (APAM) has express disatifaction with the 2023/24 National budget which has been presented in parliament by minister of Finance Sosten Ngwengwe on March 2,2023.

APAM president Young Muhamba say the National budget has left person’s living with albinism behind and some budget statement are not clear such that person with albinism is not aware on how much has been allocated to them.

Writing on their official APAM Facebook page Muhamba says this budget has left many question to persons with albinism as Government say they will construct more houses but without mentioning how much has been allocated for the initiative.

“Government of Malawi states that more houses are intended to be constructed in the 2023/24 financial year . However there is no mention as how much has been allocated for this initiative. How will the houses been constructed without budget? How will members of parliament pass the budget that is unclear? How will stakeholders, including persons with albinism, hold Government to account on an initiative that has no budget line? ” Part of statement reads.
He added that what has been done by not mentioning the money which has been allocated for construction of houses remind them on what happened in 2019/20 national budget where K600 million was allocated for a similar initiative but until now is nowhere to be seen.

“This reminds APAM back in 2019/20 National Budget in which fund amounting MK600 million the same initiative were allocated, but nowhere to be traced until now. Government should take note that persons with albinism are not cowards and shall never be taken for granted.”

He say they have also learn that no allocation of funds has been made toward implementation of National Action plan on Person with Albinism in Malawi. He continue to say this has come at a time persons with albinism has been robbed Mk30 million of MK 200 million which was allocated in the 2022/23 Financial year.
APAM has therefore call upon Government to act decisively and expectiously on the following: allocate more funds than previous year for National Action plan, allocate more funds than previous year for the construction of decent and secure houses for persons with Albinism, allocate more funds than previous for the Disability Trust fund and cabinet should adopt the revised Disability Policy.

APAM has given Government until 17 March 2023 to address all issues raise and failing which they will hold Demonstration and vigils at parliament Building on 20 March 2023 until government address their grievances.