Phalombe South MP Tiaone Hendry Applauds President Mutharika’s SONA

Phalombe South Member of Parliament Tiaone Hendry has praised President Arthur Peter Mutharika for delivering a State of the Nation Address (SONA) that she says reflects a firm commitment to people-centred development.

In a strongly worded statement posted on her official Facebook page, Hendry said the President’s address provides a clear roadmap for economic recovery and national development, describing it as timely and responsive to the needs of Malawians.

President Mutharika delivered the SONA at the Parliament Building in Lilongwe during the official opening of the 2026/2027 Budget Meeting under the theme “The Path to Economic Recovery: Delivering a People-Centred Development.”

The address outlined the government’s strategy to stabilise the economy and accelerate growth.

The President reported that inflation, which stood at 28.7 percent in September 2025, is projected to decline to below 21 percent in 2026, while economic growth is expected to increase from 2.7 percent to 3.8 percent next year.

Mutharika attributed the positive outlook to stabilising maize prices, restored fuel supplies and stricter control of public expenditure.

He further announced major investments in infrastructure and key sectors, including road rehabilitation, expansion of electricity generation capacity to over 1,000 megawatts by 2030, fuel storage expansion and reforms in the mining sector, including plans to establish a Sovereign Wealth Fund.

In the social sector, the President announced youth and women empowerment loans amounting to K100 million per constituency annually, grants for persons with disabilities, and measures aimed at strengthening community colleges and skills development.

Reacting to the address, Hendry said the outlined priorities demonstrate a renewed focus on improving the welfare of Malawians and provide confidence that Phalombe South Constituency and the country are on a positive development trajectory.

She pledged her support towards the implementation of the programmes to ensure that people at constituency level directly benefit from the national development agenda.

Concluding his address, President Mutharika reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to digital transformation, good governance and the fight against corruption, warning that there would be no “sacred cows.”

Meanwhile, Parliament has adjourned until Monday, when Members of Parliament are expected to begin debating the State of the Nation Address.