Compensated families cling to Mzuzu-Nkhata Bay road

Some households compensated to pave  the way for construction of Mzuzu-Nkhata Bay Road are refusing to relocate.

Government in 2014 offered payouts worth K226 579 622 to 86 people and companies affected by the rehabilitation of the 50-kilometre Road.

Some recipients have not moved away although construction of the road got underway last year.

The locals were seen living, running businesses and farming on the road reserve.

In random interviews on Tuesday, some of the families still occupying the road reserve said they would relocate when constructors of the road edge closer.

Some claimed to have already built new homes.

Nkhata Bay District Council chairperson Beauty Banda said there is no way construction works will be slowed down by the remnants.

“The contractor will go ahead with the construction works and those that are still clinging to the road will have their structures demolished,” she said, adding the families were given ample time to relocate.

Nkhata Bay district commissioner Alex Mdooko said the people on the road reserve did not deserve to be compensated in the first place as the road under construction is not new.

This is happening at a time some Nkhata Bay residents have threatened to hold demonstrations if Roads Authority does not speed up the works.

Traditional authorities (T/A) Mkumbira and Timbiri, whose areas is located along the road, urged the people to leave the road reserves to avoid inconveniences.