Over the past years, the government of Malawi has faced serious corrupt deals in all sectors. This has spread over to housing construction for security forces. Some government officials have faced allegations of receiving bribes for the construction of houses project.
Security officers have been facing serious housing projects for a long time. The government plans to construct housing units for them and their families. Currently, officers are living in deplorable conditions in small units which are not suitable for them and their big families. The government plans to build over 10,000 units with 6000 of them for Malawi Police Service. Malawi Army will be given 3500 units while Malawi Immigration Department and Prison Services will have 250 units.
Reports from government insiders indicate that money had indeed been exchanged for construction tender awards. Not long ago, Llyod Muhara, Government Chief Secretary was claimed to have traveled to India to seal a deal with some construction firms. However, Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Anna Kachikho refuted claims of being aware of the trip by Muhara. Minister Kachikho also refused to disclose the firms being awarded the construction contracts.
These reports came to light after the announcement made by president Mutharika on his commitment to fighting corruption. Mutharika warned that corrupt individuals caught would be dealt with regardless of their positions in government. He pledged to support the fight while firmly saying that corruption must come to an end.
President Mutharika is reported to be lobbying for open tenders in regards to the construction of security officers housing units. Confirmed by a state official, the president is keen to stop dark corner deals by adopting competitive and transparent tendering processes. President Peter Mutharika noted with grave concern the need for better housing facilities. This was after he visited some officers’ houses in Limbe Police Station. He also made a promise to source funds for construction of better houses for the security forces. Mutharika also made similar concerns after visiting Mapanga Base and Cobbe Barracks for Prison Services and the Malawi Army.
The former late president Bingu Wa Mutharika under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) had started a construction project for spacious and decent houses. This was aimed to cater for junior officers at Kanjedza. Sadly this project was stalled after Bingu Wa Mutharika’s sudden death in 2012. Former President Joyce Banda who assumed power then did not make any progress on the construction project at Kanjedza.
