Malawians have expressed shock over the recent communication breakdown between President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika and Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Kondwani Nankhumwa over fire that gutted Lilongwe Central market destroying goods worth millions.
Speaking after touring the gutted Market on Friday, Nankhumwa accused the Lilongwe City Council officials for not responding in time to the fire as reports indicated that fire fighters arrived at the scene 3 hours late.
Nankhumwa went further saying that his office will punish LCC officials for negligence.
But Mutharika contradicted Nankhumwa on the fire accident by congratulating City officials for responding swiftly to the fire.
“The State President expresses his deepest sympathy for the traders and families who depended on the burnt market for their daily living. The President is aware that the damage on people’s property at the market is significantly extensive and that this accident will affect many families in the timeto come. The President hereby conveys his sympathies to all.
“His Excellency Prof. Arthur Mutharika commends the fire fighters from Lilongwe City Council who worked together with the Police, Malawi Defense Force (MDF) and Kamuzu International Airport in fighting to stop the fire from causing further damage,” reads in part Mutharika’s statement signed by Mgeme Kalilani.
Commenting on the communication break down between the two many Malawians express shock over the development and others even took the issue to the social media.
True Patriot wrote: “For once, I tend to agree with Nankhumwa. The president is in the US and obviously his comments are based on what someone must have reported to him.
“This therefore, raises some questions as to the workings of the cabinet and reporting lines to the president, (1) who reported to the president about the fire?(2) did the person have first hand information or he was reporting what he/she heard?( 3) whoever it was that reported to the president, why didn’t he/she consult Nankhumwa as the line minister?
“These questions may appear simple but they may reveal some operational deficiencies within our systems.
“It can be a sign that our cabinet may not be as United as they should. It could also be that these people are scrambling for the president’s attention, which is highly dangerous in politics.”
Another concerned citizen identified as Chalo wrote: “This government is so myopic and childish. I thought Nankhumwa was supposed to be the one briefing the President on the issues on the ground being the responsible Minister? Where then did the President get the information about the efficiency of the firefighters? Looking at the damage at the market, where is that evidence of the efficiency of firefighters on that fateful morning?
“This is crazy and a clear manifestation that this president is indeed a waste of time. By the way, what is he still doing in the States instead of coming to sort out these problems at home? Please lets not cling to positions we cant handle!”
Meanwhile the cause of the fire is yet to be established.
