Africa-Press – Malawi. The Ministry of Homeland Security has directed Malawi Prison Service Chief Commissioner Wandika Phiri to re-introduce the security agency’s inspection programme as one way of ensuring that houses that have been handed over to Mzuzu Prison staff remain in good condition.
Prisons used to run inspection programmes during the reign of Dr Hastings Kamuzu Banda as one way of promoting standards. Homeland Security Minister Jean Sendeza issued the directive during the handover of 20 staff houses by the Ministry of Lands to the Ministry of Homeland Security on Tuesday.
The event took place at Mzuzu Prison. “I have also emphasised that those that will be using the houses should take good care of them,” Sendeza said. In his remarks, Lands Deputy Minister Deus Gumba said the first phase faced challenges such as Covid, which delayed the project.
Gumba disclosed that, by the end of this month, the ministry will be asking those who are interested in constructing 2,300 units of houses to submit documents.
“Our plan is that construction of 10,000 houses should be finished in the 2024-25 fiscal year,” he said. Meanwhile, Phiri has said the houses will serve as a source of motivation to security agency workers.
“Staff members will also be reporting for duty in time, even when there are emergencies. We are happy that the houses are modern,” Phiri said.
The 20 houses are part of the 1,000 houses constructed during the first phase. President Lazarus Chakwera made the construction of 10,000 houses for those that work for security agencies one of his flagship programmes. He launched the project at Ipyana in Karonga District in December 2020.
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