"I am very impressed that all police houses have taken shape": Gumba

Malawi: Lands and Housing Deputy Minister Honorable Deus Gumba told reporters on Tuesday last week that the contractor is ahead of schedule and that 28 percent of the project has already been completed after visiting Mitole Police Mobile Forces Camp Construction site where he appreciated the progress of thirty police houses construction project by ACH Company Limited in Chikwawa district.

The deputy minister demonstrated government ownership by paying a surprise visit to the method of waking up the contractor and was pleased with the project's speed.

"I am very impressed that all houses have taken shape and am hoping that the contractor will finish the project soon," he said.

"This is the project that his excellency the President Dr. Chakwera launched to construct houses for security agencies and this is a motivating factor to the police at Mitole."

Chikwawa Police Officer in Charge Alex Simenti expressed his satisfaction with the development because it motivates them compared to the poor houses they were previously in and thanked such government efforts for fulfilling its promise, which they stated long before they entered the government.

"It's a welcome development that the government has considered constructing houses for its security personnel, particularly the police at Mitole, because we had houses that were not conducive to habitat and it was difficult for us to accommodate our parents and relatives because the houses were small, not electrified, not that good and suitable for someone who is educated, and now that the project is at this stage, we are motivated because we will be in good houses," he said.

Meanwhile, Chikwawa District Council Chairperson Aubrey Masanza assured the deputy minister that the houses would be well-maintained through frequent monitoring and adequate security to avoid issues of corruption and theft.

The project began in April 2022 and is expected to be completed in March 2023; currently, the contractor has used 23 percent of the time allotted and 28 percent of the project has already been completed; however, a lack of local skilled labour force has been a major challenge to the project.