Opposition MPs against land bill: ‘Mutharika should not ascend the bill into law’

Opposition Members of Parliament have asked President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika to not to ascend into law the just passed land bill.

The development comes barely two days after opposition MPs led by Malawi Congress Party (MCP) President Dr. Lazarus Chakwera walked out of the National Assembly in protest of certain clauses in the bill.

Despite the protest, government MPs proceeded with business and passed the bill in absence of opposition MPs.

Speaking in an interview with the press, Werani Chilenga Member of Parliament for Chitipa who is also Chairperson of Natural Resources Committee asked Mutharika to veto the bill, saying the bill is not favouring poor Malawians.

He said once the bill ascended to many Malawians will be destitute in their own homeland.

Chilenga said the bill provides for monetary compensation for people whose land has been earmarked for investment or national projects.

The Committee, however, pointed out that monetary compensation is “retrogressive” in the long run.