Ntchisi South Member of Parliament (Malawi Congress Party) Ulemu Chilapondwa has apologized to the nation for his remarks yesterday describing cooking oil as a luxury product for the elite not for the poor in rural areas.

Chilapondwa made the assertions in his contribution in Parliament responding to concerns by leader of opposition Kondwani Nankhumwa about rising cooking oil prices in the country that the poor are struggling to afford.

“It surprises me to hear that the whole leader of opposition instead of talking facts or maybe giving out solutions to the present situation, he goes on talk about cooking oil prices. Cooking oil prices are for the elite, local people in the villages are not looking for solutions to cooking oil, they are looking solutions to real issues,” said Chilapondwa.

But today, Chilapondwa apologized saying he takes back yesterday’s remarks with an understanding that cooking oil is an essential commodity for every household as it forms nutritional content.

First Deputy Speaker of Parliament Madalitso Kazombo hailed Chilapondwa for his apology saying it has shown that he is brave enough to acknowledge his mistake.