By Chisomo Phiri
The Sugar Cane Growers Association of Malawi (SUGAM ) on Thursday issued an ultimatum to the government to present the Sugar Bill to Parliament by February 14, 2025, or face a vigil at Capital Hill.
Board chairperson of the Lakeshore Cane Growers Association, Robert Seyara,presented a petition to Nkhotakota District Commissioner Ben Tonho, emphasizing the importance of the Bill’s passage.
“Considering that the forthcoming meeting of Parliament, which starts on February 14, is the longest meeting before dissolution of this cohort of Parliament in July, we expect government to provide us with demonstrable evidence of being to present the Sugar Industry Bill to Parliament by the 14th February.
“If this does not happen by the date, SUGAM and its affiliates joined by sugar consumers and Malawians of good shall hold a vigil at Capital Hill in Lilongwe from February 25 till the executive branch of government present the Bill to the National Assembly for enactment,” he saidÂ
On his part ,Tonho praised SUGAM for their peaceful approach and promised to present the Bill to the relevant authorities.
The Sugar Bill aims to address several key issues in the sugar industry, including scarcity of sugar on the domestic market, illegal importation, and exploitation.
If enacted, the law would provide for fair and transparent pricing of sugarcane and its byproducts, minimizing court battles between the government and millers.
Essentially, the Bill would bring much-needed sanity to the sugar industry.
