LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Minister of Lands, Deus Gumba, has stressed that any illegal infrastructure in the country has no chance of survival, urging Malawians to abide by the land laws and cooperate with enforcement efforts.
He sounded the warning during an interview with the press in Area 43, in Lilongwe where the ministry in conjunction with the Malawi Defence Force (MDF) and Lilongwe City Council have demolished structures which were erected illegally and the same exercise was extended to area 10.
“We have done the demolition in conjunction with the said stakeholders to ensure sanity within the land sector, time is gone where one can just wake up and grab a piece of land and commence construction,” Gumba emphasised, adding not very piece of land is meant for settlement as some is for public infrastructure while some is hazardous for human settlement.
The minister also highlighted government’s commitment to making land services more accessible.
“We’ve recruited experts, officers, and physical planners across the country.
“We have also engaged Land Clerks and were already deployed to all 319 traditional chiefs nationwide, along with 38 land officers for the councils, to ensure land services are closer to every citizen’s doorstep,” he explained, contrasting this with the past when there was need for people to travel long distances for land documents.
He emphasised on the need for everyone to adhere to proper channels for acquiring land.
“People need to come to our offices, councils, and Malawi Housing Corporation within the cities when they want land.
“Chakwera led regime follows the rule of the law; we don’t want lawlessness. Everyone must follow the laid down guidelines in the land sector,” he stressed.
Gumba said his ministry has been warning all citizens in the country with messages and emojis to say, “We’re watching you”, and they have favorable laws to ensure Malawians enjoy land services.
Additionally, Gumba assured citizens that they will continue getting informed about the 2022 land laws in the ongoing awareness campaigns through chiefs, academia, and other key stakeholders.
He stressed that monitoring mechanisms are in place, in consultation with the Lilongwe City Council, to ensure proper procedures are followed for land acquisition, even in villages in the case of Lilongwe.
