MHC warned against corruption

Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Paul Chibingu has identified corruption and laziness as evils that have destroyed the Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC).
Chibingu made the observation on Tuesday in Zomba during a familiarisation tour.

He noted that people in the country view MHC as one of the most corrupt parastatals, with reports that officers demand bribes when allocating plots and houses.
He urged MHC workers to refrain from demanding bribes from customers for accommodation and plots, warning that deviants would face the tough arm of the law.
“My ministry will not tolerate any worker who reports for duties but doesn’t do anything,” said the minister.
“Government will focus on reforms in order to speed up development activities the country is currently undertaking. But for government to make make progress it needs hard working citizens,” added Chibingu.
Demand for MHC houses is high in Zomba, with officials from Malawi Prison Services, Malawi Police Services, Malawi Defence Forces, University of Malawi and other government departments looking for decent accomodation.
MHC regional manager for the Eastern Region Lucy Kapito said the corporation plans to construct 948 houses.
One major challenge facing the parastatal, according to Kapito, is encroachment, as some people are building houses on MHC’s plots.
She, however, said the parastatal has come up with measures to stop the malpractice.
The Eastern Region has 819 MHC houses; 567 in Zomba, 80 in Mangochi, 55 in Ntcheu, 42 at Liwonde, 39 in Balaka and 36 in Machinga.—