Ministry of Lands has allocated K2.2 billion as start-up compensation package for residents of Area 54 in Traditional Authority Chitukula in Lilongwe for their land.
The development comes after the people demanded compensation following government’s declaration of the occupied land as prime and earmarked for investment.
Speaking on Friday during a stakeholders meeting, the ministry’s estate management and valuation commissioner Mickson Chiundira said the compensation process is set to begin on June 27 2025.
“We understand that it has been four years, but now they have been assured that the process is set to start and it will involve mapping and land selection while the other week will be for compensation,” he said.
Chiundira assured the people that this is just the beginning of the process and that in the near future government will start allocating land to concerned residents and complete the exercise.
Area 54 residents chairperson Biton Thuyathuya welcomed the development, acknowledging government’s effort to start the process.
“Government has accepted that it has taken a long time to address the issue, but we are pleased that the residents will now start getting their compensation and we are hopeful that the whole process will continue until it is done,” he said.
Thuyathuya also said the people are happy with the letter they received from the ministry as it will act as proof for the compensation.
According to the Ministry of Lands, the total compensation is pegged at K22 billion.
The residents were set to hold vigils at Lilongwe district commissioner’s office starting from today to push for their compensation.
Area 54 is located opposite Malawi Institute of Management along the M1 and is adjacent to Kamuzu International Airport, covering 1 050 hectares
