By Fatsani Gunya
LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Lilongwe should soon be wearing a new face courtesy of government plans to construct a new Central Business District (CBD) for the Capital City.
The new CBD, according to the plans, is set to be constructed in Area 54.
Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development disclosed that the earmarked area for the new CBD stretches from Malawi Institute of Management (MIM) campus near Kanengo Industrial Area all the way to Kamuzu International Airport (KIA) junction and the entire right-hand stretch along the M1 Road towards Lumbadzi.
Confirming the development, line Minister Sam Kawale said allocation of plots will only be reserved for the “development-conscious investors who are willing and can manage to put up modern urban infrastructure, befitting a modern capital city”.
“That’s correct. Area 54, earmarked to be the news CBD for Lilongwe, will have low and medium density residential plots as well as hotels, schools and public and/or private institutions. We will enforce construction of modern buildings and not what we are seeing in other parts of Lilongwe,” said the Minister.
Kawale also confirmed allocation of the plots will start soon after being briefed by Commissioners Kwame Ngwira and Robins Lukasi on Tuesday as regards the progress made in Area 54 where the ministry is currently creating new plots.
The Minister said: “The layout looks great and we will finalize the plans with Lilongwe City Assembly this month and then share these plans with the public.”
Meanwhile, government has cautioned the public against purchasing customary or any vacant land within city limits, arguing that only the Ministry of Lands in conjunction with the Lilongwe City Council is mandated to provide land for residential and commercial purposes to Malawians and other investors.
The Ministry of Lands has since warned it will not process title deeds for plots obtained in ignorance of the given advice within the said city limits. The move has since brought excitement among city residents and potential investors alike.
In random interviews carried on Tuesday, one of the residents Khumbo Mkandawire said the development stands to give the city a much-needed fresh look.
“Since the Ministry has now fixed six as the minimum storeys new infrastructure should have, we should have a modern Capital City if all goes to plan. This is what we have been waiting for, so to speak” he said.
And writing on his Facebook Page specifically on the designated new CBD plans, one of President Lazarus fierce critics Joshua Chisa Mbele was all praises to the idea.
Mbele, who claims to have purchased some land there, way back in around 2008, also expressed his excitement at the arrival of the new CBD of the Capital Lilongwe.
“Today, Hon Kawale announces what will become of Area 54. I’m more than ecstatic. Good things take time to gel. My instinct is always accurate. I kept that land all these years to build 6 Star Hotel; One and only Standard. I knew the City would find us,” said Chisa Mbele.
He added: “Hon Sam Dalitso Kawale thank you for making our wish and dream come true. Extend to His Excellency.”
Chakwera recently aroused the nation to shift towards a more positive way of thinking; coining his plea under the hashtag “A New Malawi Is Rising!”