Government through the Ministry of Homeland Security has said that it is ready to start construction works of a 4, 000 capacity Chitedze Maximum Prison in the capital, Lilongwe.

Kennedy Nkhoma, Ministry of Homeland’s Principle Secretary, confirmed of the development.

According to Nkhoma, the Ministry will soon call for stakeholders meeting that will include the treasury, prison, Office of the President and Cabinet to propose the actual commencement date for the project.

Nkhoma added that the correctional facility expected to cost at least K29 billion, will among others, house a primary school and a hospital, which will also serve surrounding members of the community.

He continued that once completed, the prison is expected to reduce the worsening congestion in the country’s prisons, which are currently keeping three times their capacity.