Government with assistance from the African Export-Import Bank, made plans to construct two industrial parks, in Lilongwe and another in Blantyre. The Matindi industrial park in Blantyre will affect four group village heads (GVHs) under Senior Chief Kapeni, whose communities have been very resistant of the construction, until now.

Senior Chief Kapeni assured that his subjects have now agreed to the project as their worries about land have been sorted. The settlers, according to Blantyre District Commissioner, Bennett Nkasala, have nodded to the project after the government trimmed the number of hectares from 280 to 130 in order to allow the people have the freedom to stay on their inherited land, which was the main reason for their resistance. “Government is now free to commence the project at the intended site. The people have now provided land for the project,” said Kapeni.

Blantyre North East Member of Parliament, Fidson Chisesele applauded the community for finally allowing the project to happen, as the project will benefit them. Upon completion, the parks will not only create jobs for Malawians but will likewise boost the country’s economic base through exports of manufactured products.