Ministry deplore high rentals for Chinese built houses in Lilongwe: ‘Revise downward’
Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Kezzie Msukwa and deputy minister Abida Sidik Mia have told the Chinese-owned Hena Guoji Development Company Limited, which is in a joint venture with Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC), constructing houses in Lilongwe’s Area 49 Sector Five, to revise downward the rentals they are charging.
The moment of truth came amidst inspection of the houses when Minister Msukwa asked the general manager of the Chinese company as to how much Malawians are paying for the houses in rentals.
When he heard that they were charging K350 000 per month, the duo, Msukwa and Abida Mia were visibly appalled and told company boss at the ‘Dream Town’ project to consider slashing the rentals arguing most Malawians, middle class Malawians in particular, cannot afford that.
One of the foremen who granted an interview with Nyasa Times on condition of anonymity wondered why there is no possibility of a joint venture between local Malawi construction companies and this Chinese company which he claimed brings engineers and top workers, all from China.
“They claim they are in partnership with Malawi Housing Corporation (MHC) but that it is just on paper, there is no MHC on the ground,” he said adding, “they are here not to really help us but rip our country off as they send money back to China.”
Speaking earlier, Msukwa said the dream town project will “alleviate housing problems in the cities of the country.”
He said: “The government is very happy with the project not only because it seeks to address the housing challenges in the City of Lilongwe, but also because the collaboration between a Malawian and a Chinese company underscores the excellent relations between Malawi and China, which the Malawian Government cherishes.”
Henan Guoji Industry Group Company Limited is a diversity industry group with the qualification of special class of national housing building construction contract which takes real estate development and overseas investment as its main business.
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Ulalo investment secured a loan form Nedbank Ltd to build better houses than these and charge less rent , koma Joyce Banda opted for this deal for obvious reasons. Ngati mukuyesa ndikunama ask JC Mbele on FB akuonetseni the deal and houses they wanted to build .
Construction of a house is not easy money is spent the charges come not to please Malawians but because of the value of the house those who can afford let them pay the rent.
Izizi zomati Minister and deputy ndondondo ngati ngumbi zilekeke tamvana?
Nondondo ma Minister ngati ndi akazi ake….what’s the job description? Kkkkk koma adha…tonse woyeeeeee
High cost of building is due to overcharging by Malawian contractor. They use substandard materials and have poor workmanship yet they charge more. It is surprising that when one is building a person house they will spend less yet the moment it is government project, the cost will quandriplate. One of the reasons why government projects are expensive is because of kickbacks because the contractor has to bribe from the time the contract is awarded ,through contract certification and payment. Corruption in the construction industry stinks mostly with government projects
One of the weaknesses previous governments have had is failing to negotiate investment deals with foreign foreign companies. I cannot understand why in the first place why we cannot have a long terms urban housing master plan. We need local companies involved. Another best model is for Malawi Housing Corporations to hire local workers and build houses. Recruiting small scale contractors say 50 of them and scatter them across the county – provide them with all branded construction materials to reduce fraud etc amidst strict controls. We should be talking of building of 5000 houses for a 5 years etc.… Read more »
Achimwene were you around when Bakili was president? Did he not attempt to have things done by Malawians? We all saw it and it was a huge disaster.
If Malawi Housing Corporation can’t manage to build a house … Dead Malawi ..
Kusonyeza kuti ntchito mma office kulibe eti, I don’t see the reason why the minister and his deputy should have come to visit the project. Zalowa maseweratu
Why not equip MHC to undertake such constructions? Why involving foreigners, especially the Chinese known for their shoddy work to do the job?
The foreign business that is coming into Malawi are the ones keeping most of the Malawians alive, otherwise people will die from shortage of food, no place to stay and certainly no development. Try a local company and you end up demolishing them next year.
Can we be briefed on the Patel plot issue.