Ministry of Lands officials have told the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament that the ministry is still struggling to recover loans disbursed under the Decent and Affordable Housing Subsidy Programme, also known as Malata Subsidy Project.
The Malata Subsidy Project was launched by Former President Peter Mutharika in 2014 as a revolving programme where beneficiaries were supposed to repay half of the total cost of construction of their decent houses.
But 9 years down the line, government is yet to recover the loans as Secretary for Lands Davie Chilonga, has disclosed that only K200 million out of the invested K9 billion has been recovered.
Speaking to MIJ Online, Chilonga said the loan recovery process has been very challenging but the ministry has put in place strategies to make sure the money is recovered.
On his part, Mark Botoman Chairperson for the committee said the amount yet to be recovered is huge and government should take the matter seriously to ensure the money is recovered.
Bottoman also called on the ministry to address land ownership issues in urban areas arguing many plots of land are owned by foreigners.
