Govt dodgy on security houses

Deputy Minister of Lands Deus Gumba yesterday could not provide details on how many security agencies houses out of the planned 1 000 have been completed since project launch in December 2020.

However, speaking during the handover of 20 houses at Mzuzu Prison, he said the ministry will ensure that the first phase is completed in readiness for the next one.

So far, only 35 houses, including 15 for police officers in Mangochi, have been handed over to occupants.

This means several houses are yet to be handed over, begging questions as to how the government plans to complete the 10 000 lot by 2025.

Gumba yesterday blamed the Covid-19 pandemic, errant contractors, land issues that include encroachment and land identification.

He said: “We are concerned, each project has got a timeframe and contractors are supposed to finish work within the given time. But we have had issues, especially Covid-19.”

The minister further said government directed that 60 percent of works go to Malawians and it was a challenge to engage them.

He insisted that despite the hiccups government will be able to complete the whole 10 000 lot by 2025, indicating the call for construction of the remaining 9 000 houses will be advertised soon.

“So, come 2024 to 2025, we should be able to finish the houses,” Gumba said.

In an interview yesterday, Department of Buildings senior quantity surveyor Benard Mleta said contracts for another lot of houses from the first phase were only issued last year.

He said: “Works are in progress at different levels.  Most of them are at an advanced stage, some of them the contractors are finishing.

“By June this year, I think all being equal, the project [first phase] will be completed.”

On her part, Homeland Security Minister Jean Sendeza, who received the houses, urged the Ministry of Lands to ensure that all errant contractors are replaced.

She said: “Those that have contracts have to do it fast and in a manner that the houses are handed over within the timeframe. I am asking those that cannot construct these houses within the given timeframe to let others do the work.

“I am sure that in the next months we will be receiving the houses, but there are other contractors that are delaying the construction.

That is why I am calling upon the Ministry of Lands to terminate those contracts.”

Accountability expert Willy Kambwandira described the delays in the project as unfortunate, asking government to come out clear on the K21 billion bond which was said to be the line of financing for the project.

“We find the land-related excuses not true. These are either lame excuses or someone has failed to do his or her job properly.

This is a big project and we believe a proper feasibility study was done,” he said.

Kambwandira went on to ask the Parliamentary Committee on Transport and Public Works, whose chairperson is Uchizi Mkandawire, to summon responsible officers to explain the challenges the project is facing.

Mkandawire admitted that he had noted delays in completion of the works, promising to follow up with relevant authorities as well as visiting the projects.

On April 14 2020, government issued a K21 billion bond, a debt instrument, to finance the construction of Malawi Defence Force (MDF), Malawi Police Service, Malawi Prison Service and Department of Immigration staff houses.

President Lazarus Chakwera launched the project on December 15 2020 in Karonga District.

From the 10 000 houses, MDF and police will have 4 000 each while Malawi Prison Service and Immigration will have 1 000 each.