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| Most Rev Thomas Msusa, ECM Chairman addressing guests during the launch of Pope Francis Encyclical Laudato Si |
The Chairman for the Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM) Most Rev. Thomas Msusa has asked Malawi Government to speed up the process of enacting all policies that addresses the climate change mitigation.
Archbishop Msusa made the remarks on 4th August Tuesday night in Lilongwe during the launch of Pope Francis Encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ which calls the world to protect and preserve the environment.
“Surely in Malawi we are affected seriously by climate change,” said the Archbishop of Blantyre when he mentioned as an example the recent floods and drought which hit most parts of the country as a vivid sign that climate issues needs serious attention.
He said that by speeding up the enactment of the climate policy, the government will be demonstrating its commitment to the welfare of citizens of Malawi especially the poor.
“We are agro-based economy therefore we would like to invite political leaders, government and religious leaders and everyone to have an advocacy on these policies that government should speed up enactment of Agriculture policy and Climate policy,” he said adding that this will help people to have proper direction on taking care of environment.
Responding to the call, Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Hon. Bright Msaka who was at the launch as a guest of honor said Government is making huge progress on process of enactment of legislations that are deals with climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The minister said that the government is leaving nothing undone to ensure that it address the effects of climate change, mitigate and adapt.
“There are many pieces of legislation that are already addressing the issue of environment. We have Forest Act which is in existence and that will be amended soon; we have Forest Policy that is under process now and is before cabinet and it was last week discussed by the Cabinet Committee responsible for these matters and was passed,” he explained.
“Similarly the Climate Change Management Policy was discussed by the Committee of Cabinet and the Committee referred the document to Cabinet.”
He then assured that the Passage of Climate Change Policy by Cabinet will be in matter of weeks when cabinet meets and discuss about it.
By Prince Henderson, Communications Officer ECM