Ministry of Lands in K2.8bn roads upgrades

Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development has embarked on a  K2.8 billion road construction project in Lilongwe City Centre.

Speaking in an interview on Thursday, Central Region Commissioner for Lands Muhammad Selemani said the new roads, which will connect the City Centre and Area 13, will reduce traffic congestion.

“This is just one of the major projects our office has [undertaken]. It is very important because it will reduce traffic congestion in the city,” he said.

Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Simon Vuwa Kaunda toured the project on Thursday and expressed satisfaction with the development plans of the Central Region Lands Office.

“This is a colourful and well-implemented vision. If such projects were initiated a long time ago, we would have a world-class city by now,” he said.

Apart from visiting the construction site, Kaunda also held a familiarisation meeting with staff at the Central Region Lands Office where he warned them against corrupt practices.

“I already have reports of corrupt practices by some officials. There are issues of issuance of fake offer letters, multiple allocations of one plot and allowing encroachers to use government land. Let this be a warning to those involved because you will be dealt with,” he said.

The minister also directed that indigenous Malawians should be prioritised during land allocation and that land officials should be vigilant in ground rent collection. He also directed the officials to reverse land allocations from people who are hoarding undeveloped plots and reallocate them to people with the capacity to develop the pieces of land.