Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Jappie Mhango said poor financial flow has delayed the construction and completion of 10,000 houses for security personnel in the country.
Immediate former President, Dr. Lazarus Chakwera launched the construction of the 10,000 houses project in December 2020, the project that was originally conceived in 2016 by the now ruling Democratic Progressive Party regime.
Speaking on Friday in Kasungu during the inspection tour of the 62 houses for the Malawi Police Service (MPS), the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Jappie Mhango said it is worrisome to learnt that only 12 houses have been completed and currently occupied at the site while 50 houses are yet to be finished.
He said President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika's led administration is committed to addressing a long-standing accommodation deficit among security agencies, arguing that it is essential for enhanced service delivery and national security.
"We introduced this project, and we are going to finish it. The government is committed to improving the living standards and morale of our security officers as we for sure know that it is a recipe for enhanced service delivery and national security," he said.
However, Mhango said that he has observed that poor financial flow has affected the implementation of the project, hence disclosed that his ministry has initiated discussions with the Ministry of Finance and economic planning to map the way forward on how best to fund the completion of the project.
"My ministry has already started discussions with the Ministry of Finance to map the way forward on how we can improve the financial flow so that all contractors timely complete the project," said Mhango.
In Kasungu, Melaton Construction Company and Nangaunozge Constructions were assigned to construct 12 and 50 houses, respectively, with only Melaton Construction Company having fully completed its houses.
The project was initially expected to be fully completed by December 31, 2025, however, in Kasungu, it is likely to miss its deadline as the contractor Nangaunozge has asked for an extension.
In his remarks, the Central East Region Deputy Commissioner of Police Gladson Chipumphura commended the government for its commitment to improving the living conditions of police officers.
Chipumphura has since pledged to guard the project jealously besides taking care of the houses that are already occupied.
"We commend government for such a project within this region of police. We are going to take good care of the houses as well as guarding the project jealously to ensure its smooth implementation," he said.
The construction of 10,000 houses was divided into three phases whereby the Malawi Congress Party-led administration announced that 1,028 houses have been completed and handed over while the second phase that involves 3,300 houses are nearing completion with contractors already on-site, while others finalize contractual obligations.
