The Ministry of Lands says it needs K30 billion to be used for compensating people it wants to relocate from 5,000 plots it wants to develop across the country.
Responsible minister Deus Gumba told Parliament Monday, when he delivered a ministerial statement, that the plots will be developed in the next five years, after which they will be sold to Malawians.
“There is high demand for plots across the country,” he told lawmakers.
Gumba said the government is “very serious” on the matter, hence the decision to develop residential, commercial and institutional plots.
He said in Thyolo and Blantyre, there would be over 1,600 plots, Chikwawa 1,500, Dunduzu in Mzuzu about 600 plots as well as plots in Lilongwe’s area 26, 52, 55 and 27.
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“The current law states clearly that we cannot just grab land from people who, for instance, are doing some farming activities. Today, when it comes to that, we are supposed to pay compensation.
“So, if we add up the figures, the figure should be close to K30 billion for us to pay compensation and create these plots,” he said.
However, Gumba said it would be hard for the government to get the amount at once.
“But, once the creation of plots starts, the development fund that people would be contributing to would be used as a revolving fund.
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“The ministry is also working with the Ministry of Justice to vacate injunctions before the courts that might affect the development of the plots,” he said.
Zomba Chisi legislator Mark Botomani has since urged the ministry to make sure that Malawian citizens are prioritised.
“The land we have is a precious commodity and this is the only land we, Malawians, have. So, when we see foreigners being given prime land sometimes, we suspect that there are some elements of corruption,” Botomani said.
Leader of the House Richard Chimwendo Banda told journalists after adjournment that the meeting would give a chance to almost all ministries to present their activity reports.
Parliament started meeting Monday and will meet up to August 18 2023.
