Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has challenged President Lazarus Chakwera to be vigilant and decisive when dealing with pressing socio-economic, governance, and accountability issues affecting Malawians.

The grouping’s leaders made the call during a meeting with the President at Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe on Wednesday. They decried slow progress on development projects in the country, saying some are way behind set deadlines.

Chakwera with Trapence at the meeting

In a communiqué released yesterday, HRDC chairperson Gift Trapence said they discussed with the President several issues including the implementation of the upcoming Affordable Inputs Programme (AIP), the worsening corruption levels in the country, escalating debt crisis, the K750 million AIP money stuck in Germany and the looming hunger triggered by the impact of Cyclone Freddy, among others.

He said: “We called upon the President to ensure that his government fulfils its campaign promises to generate investments that create employment opportunities.

“Additionally, we urged the government to prioritise high-impact developmental projects that would stimulate private sector growth, ultimately leading to job creation and economic prosperity.”

Trapence further said they alerted Chakwera to the delays or stalling development projects which could result in billions of kwachas in cost overruns.

He said of particular concern were the stalling of Njakwa-Livingstonia, Mangochi-Makanjira, Kacheche-Chiweta, Jenda-Edingeni and Neno-Tsangano Turn-off road projects.

Presidential press secretary Anthony Kasunda confirmed the meeting, saying Chakwera urged rights defenders to continue demanding people’s right to development.

This was the second meeting between  HRDC and Chakwera, as the first was held immediately after the President ascended to power in 2020. Chakwera and Vice-President Saulos Chilima were regulars at HRDC organised street protest against the 2019 presidential election results which the duo successfully challenged in court.

The post HRDC, Chakwera discuss socio-economic woes first appeared on The Nation Online.