Malawi government to repossess undeveloped land from investors: Minister Vuwa issues warning

Lands,  Housing and Urban Development Minister, Vuwa Kaunda, has warned that his ministry will soon begin repossessing all the land allocated to some investors  who he accuses of failing to develop their land after two years of being allocated.

Kaunda said this on Friday when he toured construction works for the Grand Business Park in the Capital Lilongwe by a Chinese company known as China Lilongwe Grand Holding Corporation Limited.

Being built on 20 hectors of land just after the Mchinji roundabout along the bypass road, the Grand Business Park will comprise shopping malls, high class office buildings, shops, villas and supporting facilities such as a five star hotel and conference centre.

The project is one of the outcomes of the first ever Malawi Investment Forum initiated by President Peter  Mutharika in 2015 and it is the first of its kind to be launched in Africa by China Lilongwe Grand Holding Corporation Limited.

“I am delighted to note the rapid pace and steady progress your company is making a few months down the line after the land was allocated.

“The level of investment is massive and it is in keeping with the vision of President Mutharika of developing and transforming Malawi into a middle income country within a short space of time,” Kaunda told officials of the company.

“Let me applaud you for keeping your word of developing the land. At this juncture, let me take this opportunity to encourage other investors to emulate the good example that has been set by your company.”

He said when applying for land, investors show ability to develop that land and government allows a period of two years within which the investor should start developing the land.

“I know that there are other investors out there who were allocated land but many years down the line nothing tangible has been done to develop the land.

“My message to the investors who acquire land for speculative purposes is simple. I will not hesitate to invoke Section 25 of the Land Act which gives me the power of re-entry on any land whenever there is breach of contract which includes non-development of the allocated plot”.

He said government will  “take stock” of all land that has remained idle for more than two years after being allocated with warning letters will be sent “and then repossession will follow without negotiations.”

Kaunda then assured China Lilongwe Grand Holding Corporation Limited that government will protect the company’s investment on the land and provide tenure security and security of property rights on the investment.

A tour of the construction site established roof-level structures designed in such a way that people dealing in commercial activities will find basically everything under one roof.

Once completed, the Grand Business Park is expected to change the face of the Capital Lilongwe and provide a unique shopping and hospitality experience to the residents of the city.

According to Assistant to General Manager of the Chinese company Sherry Wang, the first phase of the project which include a Casino, one office complex, two villas and access roads, will be completed by the end of this year.

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