By Kondanani Chilimunthaka
The Malawi Congress Party has added another Member of Parliament just a day after the state president who is also president of MCP Dr. Lazarus Chakwera delivered his State Of Nation Address in Parliament.
Speaking when welcoming Honorable John Bande who is an MP for Blantyre City East Constituency, the first vice president for the party Hon. Sidik Mia started by urging people to keep observing the Covid-19 restrictions set by government to fight the disease. Turning to politics Mia who is also the minister of transport and public works said the area has not been developed since Bande left it, hence people voted for him back in 2019, considering how he developed the constituency when he served as an MP. Mia then concurred with his campaign director that Bande has been MCP despite contesting on an independent ticket. Mia further told the gathering that the current MCP is a transformed one aiming at ending problems faced by Malawians in all areas.
Mia assured the gathering that soon after passing of the budget, Malawians will start seeing the fruits of Chakwera administration saying the vision of Chakwera is to develop Malawi beyond recognition in all sectors. As minister of transport Mia didn’t want to leave the podium without making some promises like completion of Ndirande-Makhetha road and a bypass road from Chiradzulu turnoff to Blantyre.
Speaking before Hon. Mia, the National Campaign Director for MCP Hon. Moses Kumkuyu said the joining of Bande is of a great impact to the party for the MP is developmental conscious which is in line with the vision of president Chakwera and MCP. Kumkuyu added that the fact that Mutharika and DPP were voted out of power it remains a blessing to the entire nation and that Malawians never wish to see DPP back in government. He then thanked the MP for choosing MCP saying he has done a good choice for him and his constituency, but Kumkuyu urged the supporters from both sides MCP and Bande who won as an independent to work together as one team under Honorable John Bande as an MP.
But in his remarks Bande thanked MCP for warmly welcoming him and said he is ready to serve tirelessly to develop Blantyre City East. He then laid out some problems in his constituency which he requested the government to look into. Honorable John Bande reclaimed the constituency in 2019.
