By Esnart Chingwalu
Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC) has ordered the Northern Region Water Board (NRWB) to write the Ministry of Lands to conduct evaluation assessment to determine the amount of compensation to be given to communities of Chipambo, Gesha and Kazando in Mzuzu by November 30, 2022.
This follows an investigation by the commission over failure by the board to compensate the communities accordingly following a European Development Bank funded water project.
Among others, the communities through their representatives complained that the board failed to implement the project according to the design and funding it received as some communities were not compensated.
Commissioner Sunduzwayo Madise, MHRC chairperson for Economic Social and Thematic Committee, said the board lacked transparency, adequate communication engagement and justification in handling compensation processes hence a violation of their human rights on tenure of lands.
The commission has condemned communities for multiple reporting of the complaint to many bodies and causing threats to Malawi human rights commission saying that had the potential to delay process of the investigation.
