Soche residents to relocate by end October
In a bid to avert future disasters, Malawi Government has moved to relocate residents of flood-prone Soche Hill to Mapanga in Blantyre from October 20 2023.
Deputy Minister of Local Government, Unity and Culture Owen Chomanika said this yesterday at a press conference in Lilongwe as Malawi joins the global community in commemorating World Habitat Day and World Cities Day which falls on the first Monday of October and October 31, respectively.
But he was quick to point out that no transport will be provided to ferry people from Soche to Mapanga as residents will be asked to voluntarily move out. He said those opting not to go to Mapanga will have to rent houses elsewhere.
Chomanika said government has allocated 300 hectares in Mapanga and appealed to well-wishers to support the cause by constructing houses and roads at the site as well as civic educating the people to embrace the initiative.
He said: “We want to move the people to a safe place before the rains start and we will do this before the end of this month. We will make sure there are enough houses and easy access roads.”
On the practicality of the time-frame, commissioner for Disaster Management Affairs Charles Kalemba said they have established that most of the people residing in Soche are renting houses and they can easily move if ordered to do so.
Chipping in, Ministry of Local Government, Unity and Culture director of urban development Mercy Dube said the land in Mapanga might accommodate up to 15 000 households, but they are still making assessments on how many people will need the land and what needs to be done in case it’s not enough.
Blantyre City Council director of administration Lytton Mkata said they do not expect resistance as they have been conducting meetings with the people.
However, social and political commentator Victor Chipofya described the move as a rushed decision.
He said: “I think the plan should have been implemented immediately after the rainy season. Yes, we are trying to protect the people from impending disasters but this if not handled well, will end up exposing the people to other equally challenging situations.”
Commenting on the development, governance expert Willy Kambwandira, while urging the government to put in place mechanisms to address grievances that will emerge from the process, feared that the initiative might not benefit the intended people.
In March 2023, Cyclone Freddy affected over 2.5 million people with 676 confirmed deaths, over 660 000 displaced, 537 people missing and 44 roads damaged while countless bridges, health infrastructure and crops were washed away.
