By Burnett Munthali
The correctional department in Malawi’s Southern Region has officially handed over the site of the former Luwani Prison to the Neno District Council, following the facility’s closure in 2022.
Commissioner of Prisons for the Southern Region, Zacheus Malekano M’bawa, confirmed the development, stating that the department had collaborated well with the local council in preparing the handover.
He explained that they are transferring houses, farmland, boreholes, and office buildings that were previously used by the Malawi Prison Service to the Neno District Council.
This move, according to M’bawa, will enable the council to utilize the premises for various developmental purposes that will benefit the local community.
Neno District Council Director, Leonard Mchombo, expressed his gratitude to the prison authorities for laying a strong foundation for the future use of the site.
He assured stakeholders that the buildings and land would be put to good use for the benefit of the people living in the Luwani area and the entire Neno district.
“The houses you have handed over to us will be well maintained and used to serve the needs of the people in this area,” said Mchombo.
Traditional Authority Ngwenyama, who is the chief of the area, encouraged the council to foster a strong relationship with the community as they take over management of the site.
Among the assets handed over by the Malawi Prison Service are seven houses, a cultivated farm, two clusters of three-house compounds, and livestock facilities including a poultry house and a pigsty, among other items.
This handover marks a significant step towards community-oriented development and reflects the fruitful cooperation between state institutions and local government in Malawi.
