Different stakeholders have applauded President Lazarus Chakwera over his decision to fire Lobin Lowe and Madalitso Kambauwa Wirima as minister and deputy minister of agriculture respectively.
On Tuesday, Chakwera dismissed Lowe and Wirima over their failure to handle this year’s Affordable Input Programme (AIP) and he has appointed Sam Kawale former minister of Lands to take over the agriculture ministry.
Leonard Chimwaza, one of the country’s agriculture expert said the move by Chakwera to relieve Lowe and his deputy off their duties is a welcome development adding that it will instill hope for Malawians in as far as AIP is concerned.
Chimwaza went further commending the appointment of Kawale saying that since he was already chairing the AIP taskforce, chances are he might know how to bring in the country remaining tonnage of fertilizer to support farmers.
Apart from Chimwaza, a human rights grouping under the banner M’badwa Zokhuzidwa said what president Chakwera did is a bold move.
According to Fredrick Billy Malata, Operations Director for M’badwa Zokhudzidwa, Chakwera’s Statement yesterday spoke about actions and that is commendable.
Malata has however, asked Chakwera to also fire National Food Reserve Agency (NFRA) Chief Executive Officer Brenda Kayongo.
“The 123 million kwacha Maize got stolen under her watch, so she must also be fired. The law enforcement agencies should also make sure that those involved in the stolen 14 trucks of Maize do face the law and have the stolen maize forfeited, “said Malata.
