NEWS:

7 Oct, 2016


One of the affected people making a presentation during the training
LUANAR through Skills Development Project will construct an Open and Distance Learning (ODL) hub in area 47 in Lilongwe. Following this development 17 people who were cultivating on that piece of land have been compensated.


As part of the compensation process the Directorate of ODL organized a two-day business skills training for the affected persons. The training took place at Area 18 Lodge in Lilongwe from 3rd to 4th October 2016.


According to the ODL Coordinator at LUANAR, Dr Joshua Valeta the training was organized to equip Project Affected Persons (PAPs) with skills to enable them to conduct businesses using their compensation funds.


“As a project, we decided to compensate these people with a little something in form of money equivalent to whatever they were expecting to harvest,” said Dr Valeta.


He said about three million kwacha has been used to compensate the people however, the compensations were in different amounts depending on the size of the land they were cultivating.


“Right now consultants are working on designs and immediately after the designs are completed we are going to engage contractors. We hope that they will be identified in December this year or January next year,” said Dr Valeta.


Representing Lilongwe District Commissioner at the event, Mr James Mwenda, commended LUANAR for professional handling of the issue as there were no any conflicts in the process.


He hailed the affected persons for their patience saying although a year had passed since the process of handing over the land to LUANAR started, the DCs office never received any complaint on the issue.


Speaking on behalf of fellow affected persons, Mr Harry Namisengo, Chairperson of the group thanked the government through LUANAR, National Council of Higher Learning (NCHE) and Lilongwe District Council for smoothly handling the matter saying they were satisfied with the compensation.


“We are very satisfied with the compensation and everyone is going home with a smile,” said he.


He further said the group was grateful for the business skills training which equipped them with the required knowledge and skills to run businesses.


LUANAR started ODL enrolment in June this year with 426 students and expects to enroll more this month and in January next year.