Maravi

LCC to demolish illegal structures

LCC to demolish illegal structures in Kalikiliki
By Patson Chilemba
Thursday March 01, 2007 [02:02]

LUSAKA City Council (LCC) town clerk Timothy Hakuyu has disclosed that the local authority will be demolishing illegal structures in Kalikiliki compound in the next three days. But some Kalikiliki residents have warned of 'total war' against any move by the council to destroy their buildings.

Commenting on the seven-day ultimatum issued by local government minister Sylvia Masebo last week on the destruction of illegal structures between Kalikiliki and Ibex Hill suburb, Hakuyu said the council could not move in immediately because they were still putting in place necessary logistics. "On the seven-day ultimatum, I approached the minister (Masebo) that we needed to put in place necessary logistics. But it is within a matter of days and not weeks that we shall be moving in. It won't take more than three days from now," said Hakuyu.

But some Kalikiliki residents, who chose to remain anonymous, warned that any attempt to destroy their structures would result in unending war. They said just as the LCC and police were mobilising, so were they. They warned that any attack against them and their structures would be met by 'very stiff' opposition.

Masebo last week instructed LCC and the police to demolish illegal buildings in the area between Kalikiliki and Ibex Hill suburb in Lusaka within seven days. During a tour of the area that has been encroached by squatters in Kalikiliki, Masebo said there was need to move in quickly before the situation got out of hand. She said Zambia had abundant land hence there was no need for people to scramble for land in Lusaka. "What is happening in Lusaka is very bad," Masebo said.

She said some unscrupulous male youths were going round selling plots for K800,000 and telling the buyers that they should construct houses within three weeks failure to which the council would repossess the land. Masebo said there was need for the council to increase the number of inspectors that would regularly monitor and ensure there were no illegal allocations of plots.

She warned that whoever bought illegal plots should know that a time would come when the structures they constructed would be demolished. Masebo said Zambia was the only country where foreigners came and acquired land and market stalls at the expense of citizens.
However, Masebo blamed some Zambians for selling land to foreigners.

Labels: HOUSES, LOCAL GOVERNMENT, SYLVIA MASEBO

posted by MrK @ 5:29 AM