Minister Ben Phiri warns Mayors, council chairperson on land grabbing
Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Benson Malunga Phiri has issued a stern warning to Mayors, Council Chairpersons and their deputies to desist from land grabbing.
The minister issued the warning at Golden Peacock Hotel in Lilongwe during a three day training of Mayors, council chairpersons and their deputies on management of council operations that was organized by Malawi Local Government Association (MALGA) in collaboration with Local Government Accountability and Performance (LGAP).
“There is a serious problem of land grabbing by councilors, mayors and other people in leadership at councils which is against the expectations of people.
“Let me warn you that any land that is obtained illegally is a cause of worry and I will run after you, this is abuse of political power which cannot be left unchecked,” he said.
He said the situation in most councils is very unbecoming as there is a lot of corruption, funds mismanagement which leave the people undeserved and has worsened poverty.
The minister also warned the councilors against mobilizing people to rise against District Commissioners saying such incidences have derailed development.
MALGA President,Councilor Wild Ndipo said on the sidelines of the meeting that most council chairs do not deliver to people’s expectations because of the shortness of the tenure of office.
“One year tenure of office is a serious concern and we appeal for a change on this if we are to make progress. Council chairs are drilled on various areas but do not use their skills attained before they leave office, we think this is waste of resources,” Ndipo said.
The training which is a first cohort involved mayors and councilors from northern and central regions that will run from 4 to 6 December while Eastern and Southern region is scheduled to take place in Blantyre from 11th to 13th December, 2019 so that they are guided to effectively provide their oversight role in the management of council operations.
The training targets all the 70 new Mayors, District Council chairpersons and their deputies from all the 35 councils in Malawi.
MALGA and LGAP organized the training with financial assistance from USAID and UKAID.
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Clean up your own mess before you point fingers or warn others Mr fake Phd Phiri!
Nobody belives you!
Only in malawi, where u can see a fraudster for a minister……..pathetic
Warning who?? Who is supposed to be warned between you and the councillors? How did you get the land in Area 49 together with Mchacha? Musatilankhulitse pambali mwamva???
How about you and money grabbing? Have you no shame at all? YOU are the last person to warn anyone in any shape or form. Do not waste peoples money pretending you are doing your job.For God`s sake Malawians get rid of these wolves in sheep skins!