Man blocks construction of health centre

Construction of the K300 million (about $750 000) Nancholi Health Centre whose foundation stone Malawi President Joyce Banda laid on July 26 2013 will likely delay if the man, on whose garden the hospital will be built, keeps his word.

Marko Elemani wants to be compensated for the land or he will block the health centre construction.

But traditional leaders in the area have dismissed Marko’s claim for compensation, saying the land is customary; therefore, he has no control over it.

Government wants to construct a health centre in Nancholi after admitting that people travel long distances to access services at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital.

The site is cleared, but Marko wants compensation.

“That’s our land and there is no way it can go for free. There is need for compensation and if nothing happens, I will block the construction of the hospital,” said Marko.

The Nation

visited Nancholi to see the place. It has been cleared and a number of fruits such as bananas have been cut.

This reporter approached Village Head Nkoka and Group Village Head Chiimire who confirmed identifying the land for hospital construction.

“The place is connected to the road and all people in this area are connected. Again, the place is near the river which is ideal for the hospital,” said Village Head Nkoka.

But when told that the owner of the place wants compensation, he dismissed the idea, saying: “This is customary land which does not belong to him. In fact, we gave him another land to farm, so what really does he want?”

Chipping in, Group Village Head Chiimire said if Marko did not want his land to be used for a hospital project, he could have pointed out earlier on.

Ministry of Health spokesperson Henry Chimbali said Marko agreed with the chiefs to give out the land and that there is documentation to that effect.

Chimbali, however, said more land will be needed and that is when compensation was possible. He said issues about Marko will be handled by the chiefs.

Marko’s brother Andson Elemani, a People’s Party official, wrote two letters to Health Minister Catherine Gotani Hara and the President.

To Gotani Hara, Andson complained, in his letter dated 5th September 2013, that the project has damaged their crops, including fruits such as bananas, mango trees, guava trees, and many others.