Government has responded to remarks made by the state vice president Saulos Chilima asking President Peter Mutharika to relocate to Capital City, Lilongwe and lockdown capital hill to boost civil service morale during this time of uncertainty over the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The response has been made through Minister Information Mark Botomani.

Chilima also claimed that Cabinet Committee members overseeing how government is handling the disease are getting allowances for meetings which should have gone to the fight against the pandemic.

During a televised press briefing, the Vice President lambasted his boss for taking a 10 percent cut describing it as too little and insignificant. Chilima has taken a 100 percent cut for three months.

Reacting to Chilima on why the President is cooped up in Blantyre instead of at the seat of government in Lilongwe, Botomani said the president has the liberty to work from anywhere in the country

“The committee which is overlooking the pandemic is in contact with the president on a daily basis through different means so this issue is something that we should not waste our time on, it’s a thing that we are in contact with president. On the other hand, on measure to protect government money are being followed.

“On the issue of committee members taking allowances, it is sad that this assertion is coming from the calibre of person like Dr Chilima because it is not true. I can verify to you here that since the committee started no member or minister has drawn an allowance,” Botomani said.