By Isaac Salima:
The government has relocated a school reconstruction project from Traditional Authority (TA) Tengani to TA Mlolo in Nsanje District following land disputes, as some community members had reportedly been demanding compensation for the site initially earmarked for the project.
The government had planned to reconstruct Mpasa Primary School in TA Tengani, which was damaged by rains induced by Tropical Cyclone Freddy.
However, the funds will now be used to rebuild Muona Primary School in TA Mlolo, which was also destroyed by the cyclone in 2023.
President Lazarus Chakwera, through a presidential charity initiative, raised K225 million for the Mpasa Primary School project.
However, some community members began demanding compensation for the land where the school was to be constructed, prompting Nsanje District Council to relocate the project.
On Friday, Commissioner for the Department of Disaster Management Affairs, Charles Kalemba, presented an additional K300 million for the project, bringing the total to K525 million.
Kalemba said he expected the project to take at least three months.
“Through the K300 million, we will be able to construct four school blocks, meaning eight classrooms for a full primary school. We will also build an administration block and toilet facilities.
“The project was initially allocated to Mpasa, but due to land disputes, we are now here, where the community members have pledged their full support,” he said.
Member of Parliament for Nsanje North, Enock Chizuzu, commended the government for considering his constituents.
“Learners had been struggling to access education, and now we look forward to the completion of the project which will ease the challenges the students were facing. We promise to ensure that community members take part so that it is completed on time,” he said.
Students have been learning in makeshift shelters, which has affected them due to high temperatures in the Shire Valley.
