By Burnett Munthali
Minister of Homeland Security Ezekiel Ching’oma has assured Malawians that the government will complete all the development projects that President Lazarus Chakwera outlined in the State of the Nation Address (SONA).
He emphasized that the projects, including the construction of houses for security officers, remain a priority for the government and will be implemented as promised.
Ching’oma made these remarks during a stakeholder engagement in Lilongwe Mpenu Nkhoma Constituency.
He was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Transport, Steve Baba Malondera, as part of a national exercise aimed at explaining the details of the SONA to the public.
The exercise was organized in response to criticism from various quarters, with some arguing that certain projects mentioned in the address were non-existent.
Among the projects that had been questioned was the construction of security officers’ houses in Phalombe, which was wrongly indicated as completed.
Ching’oma acknowledged the concerns raised but blamed some politicians for misrepresenting the SONA by focusing only on a few isolated projects.
He said the government remains committed to transparency and accountability in implementing its development agenda.
According to Ching’oma, the nationwide exercise by ministers is aimed at providing Malawians with an accurate picture of the government’s achievements over the past four years.
He reiterated that despite the criticisms, the government has made significant progress in infrastructure development, security, and other key sectors.
Ching’oma further urged Malawians to seek factual information from government representatives rather than relying on misleading statements from opposition politicians.
He expressed confidence that once the public understands the full scope of the development initiatives, they will appreciate the efforts being made by the Chakwera administration.
Malondera, on his part, echoed the sentiments of his colleague, saying that the government will not be distracted by political attacks but will continue to focus on fulfilling its promises.
He encouraged stakeholders and community members to actively engage with government officials to get firsthand information on ongoing projects.
The meeting in Lilongwe Mpenu Nkhoma Constituency is part of a broader effort by ministers to clarify issues surrounding the SONA and ensure that citizens are well-informed.
As the government pushes forward with its development agenda, it remains to be seen how effectively it will address concerns about project delays and transparency.
With the 2025 general elections approaching, the success of these projects will likely influence public perception of the Chakwera administration’s performance.
