MP takes Council to task over disposal of land to private trader: Inquiry set
Member of Parliament (MP) for Dedza Central Constituency, Daniel Chiwere (Malawi Congress Party – MCP) has queried the sale of a Truck Park owned by Dedza District Council to a private trader at K15 million.
The Truck Park which was once used by Mota-Engil as their base camp when doing construction works on the M-1 road has remained vacant ever since the company finished their work in Dedza.
However, during a full council meeting on Monday, Chiwere queried the disposal of the land.
“As far as I recall, initially, the park had been offered for sale pegged at K35 million and the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) expressed interest to buy it. Now we hear that a certain trader has bought the place at K15 million which is almost half the first value?” Chiwere said.
In his response, District Commissioner (DC) for Dedza, Francis Mate were told the Council meeting that he was aware of the issue and he was going to set up a commission of enquiry to look into the matter.
“In previous meetings, the Council had decided to sell the Truck Park but an offer which was made was not honoured by the client. Afterwards, another client was found but this time the arrangement was not open enough as several stakeholders were not notified,” he said.
Matewere added that the new buyer bought the park at a lower price, a development which raised some eyebrows.
He said the council has since “halted the sale.”
Matewere said they have set up a commission of inquiry to look into the matter.
According to the DC, the commission of inquiry which will consist of chiefs, MPs and Councillors will meet with the buyer to find out how they purchased the place without the Council’s approval.
He said the findings of the enquiry will be provided in the next full council meeting.
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