Government has disbursed K2.2 billion to 150 people, covering 68 hectares in the first phase of compensating Area 54 residents in the area of Senior Chief Chitukula in Lilongwe.
According to Commissioner responsible for Estate Management and Evaluation activities in the Ministry of Lands, Mickson Chiundira, the compensation process is being done in phases.
Chiundira said the payment will not be done in cash but through their accounts for security purposes and the land will be split into plots, where people will be buying for development activities, in line with the ministry’s town construction plans.
Area 54 in Lilongwe is located opposite Malawi Institute of Management (MIM) along the M1 road to Kamuzu International Airport and covers 773 hectares.
According to the Ministry of Lands, assessment done in 2022 showed that K18 billion was needed to compensate all Area 54 residents but with the passage of time and change in cost of living, the figure has risen to K22 billion.
