Mutharika decrees Malata, cement subsidy will not end : ‘Over my dead body’

Malawi President Peter Mutharika  has decreed that the Decent and Affordable Housing Subsidy Programme (Dahsp), popularly known as Malata and Cement Subsidy programme, will not end as long as he is the Head of State.

Dahsp, one of President Mutharika’s campaign promises, was launched on December 18 2014 at Traditional Authority (T/A) Chadza in Lilongwe where 11 houses were rehabilitated and handed over to the owners

Under the programme, government is targeting 15 440 beneficiaries of which 965 beneficiaries are on the grant component comprising vulnerable households (child-headed, elderly and people with disabilities) while the rest being under the subsidy component.

But critics have said queried the program’s, saying its costs do not make economic sense.

Speaking on Monday in Blantyre  during the townships whistle-stop tour, President Mutharika said the Malata and Cement Subsidy programme will go on even with strong opposition from lawmakers.

“I want to assure you that Malata and Cement Subsidy programme will go on,” said Mutharika.

“This programme will not end, over my dead body,” stressed Mutharika.

Mutharika blew his own trumpet in Parliament, telling Malawians his administration is delivering on promises made upon assuming power following his party’s triumph in the May 20 2014 Tripartite Elections.

He said the Malata and Cement Subsidy programme is benefitting a lot of Malawians.

“So the Malata and Cement Subsidy programme will go on and improve the lives of Malawians,” he said.

Mutharika said Malawi was moving towards having decent housing, new jobs, new businesses and food security.

The President said he has to take time to  appreciate the progress on new roads being constructed in Blantyre’s townships of Limbe, Bangwe, Manja, and Chilomoni.

Minister of Local Government,  Kondwani Nankhumwa said apart from those inspected, the government is  also upgrading township roads of Angelo Goveya, Manje, Mongwe, Chinseu, Chimwankhunda, Ma Land Rover Chilimba and Railways.

Nankhumwa said  there will be bypasses from Chigumula Trading Centre to Mapanga, via Bangwe and Mzedi, from Chigumula to Mpemba Trading Centre via Soche Quarry, from Mpemba to Chilomoni via Pensulo and Chigwaja Townships and another bypass from Chileka Airport to Ngumbe via Army Secondary School, to M1 Road.

The President said Malawi needs good road infrastructure to ease access to public services such as hospitals, schools and markets among others.

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