Ministry of Lands hand overs 20 houses to Ndirande Police Station

Fullfilling the promises on housing 

By Evance Chisiano
Blantyre, December 23, Mana: Ministry of Lands on Saturday handed over 20 newly constructed houses to Ministry of Homeland Security for occupation by Ndirande Police Station officers.

Handinig over the houses, Minister of Lands, Deus Gumba said government was in the process of constructing 10,000 staff houses for personnel in security institutions in the country namely; Malawi Police Services, Malawi Defence, Malawi Prison Services and Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

The 20 houses built at Ndirande Police Station are part of the 4,000 houses that government allocated to the Malawi Police Services country wide.

He observed that some police officers were staying outside their duty stations in rented houses while some were living within their stations but in dilapidated houses.

“This compelled the present government to embark on housing project for the security agents,” the minister added and called on the police officers at Ndirande Police Station to take care of the new houses.
Government already handed over police officers houses at Malamia Police Mobile Service camp in Mangochi, Jenda in Mzimba apart from Ndirande Police Station where men and women in uniform are proud of modern and spacious houses.
Receiving the houses, Minister of Homeland Security, Ken Zikhale Ngoma said his ministry will advocate for more houses for the Malawi Police Service officers to ensure that police officers are accommodated within their duty stations other than operating far from stations.

He said police officer play a significant role in enforcing law and order and maintain public order, saying men and women in uniform deserve decent accommodation as motivation.

“Malawi Police Service plays crucial role in creating a conducive environment for socio-economic, development in Malawi,” Homeland Security minister added.

Deputy Inspector General responsible for Administration, Happy Mkandawire hailed both Ministry of Lands and Homeland security for collaboration in constructing houses for the police officers in various parts of Malawi.

He however called on the two ministries to scale up the housing project so that it should meet demand for decent houses among the police officer whose population is about 16,000 across the country.

The Deputy Inspector General also called on the two ministries to take contractors that are delaying in completing police officers houses to task saying this was a setback on the welfare of the police officer that needs decent accommodation in various parts of the country.

“Such contractors are not fulfilling their contractual obligations. This is sad and should be condemned,” Mkandawire added.

Contractor, FNC built the 20 houses at Ndirande Police are earned praises from Ministry of Lands and Malawi Police Service for building the houses in time and on difficulty terrain.