By Chisomo Phiri
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) members of Parliament walked out of Parliament on Wednesday in protest of a proposal to hike fuel prices, which the Committee on Natural Resources and Climate Change recommended after engaging with the Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA).
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, George Chaponda, said the DPP decided to boycott the debate midway after noting that the First Deputy Speaker, Madalitso Kazombo, was not giving its members an opportunity to present contrary views.
“What we noted is that they wanted everyone to endorse the fuel price adjustment.
“We did not come into this House to rubber-stamp issues but to make decisions that are in the interest of Malawians,” said Chaponda.
During the debate, DPP spokesperson Shadric Namalomba, who is also a member of the Natural Resources and Climate Change Committee, said raising fuel prices would have a negative impact on people’s lives.
Currently, fuel pump prices in Malawi are lower than the importation costs in neighboring countries, forcing suppliers to rely on levies for working capital.
From January to June 2024, withheld levies totaled K74.5 billion, compared to just K14.4 million in remittances
 members of Parliament walked out of Parliament on Wednesday in protest of a proposal to hike fuel prices, which the Committee on…){kind=link}