By Chisomo Kambandanga

Nkhata Bay, April 7, Mana: Senior Group Village Head (GVH) Nsundu from the area of Senior Chief Malanda in Nkhata Bay has applauded government for its continued support to people with albinism.

He said this on Friday during a contractor handover ceremony to Chikhumbi Village to start construction of a K43 million house for the family of Julius Longwe who has two children with albinism.

GVH Nsundu said: "We are very excited to see the contractor on the ground to commence construction works for the house which will ensure maximum security to the children, once completed.”

He urged community members to render their support to the contractor where necessary and advised the contractor to construct a secure house in tandem with standards set by government.

In his remarks, Longwe said the house will be a sigh of relief to his family which he said sleeps in constant fear of possible attacks from assailants, targeting his two children with albinism.

Rural Housing Desk Officer for Nkhata Bay, Owen Chikoti, said the house, replete with a sitting room, three bedrooms, a backyard, kitchen, bathroom, toilet and enclosed in a fence, was expected to be completed within two months.

"Through the Ministry of Gender, Social Welfare and Community Development, government identified households that have people with albinism from different districts and for Nkhata Bay, five households were identified.

“This is the second house to be constructed in the district as the first one was constructed in the area of Traditional Authority Kabunduli," Chikoti said.

Selemunthu Construction Company Managing Director Gospel Selemani promised to do quality work within the agreed period.

The houses are being constructed by government through the Department of Housing in the Ministry of Lands in collaboration with the Department of Disability and Elderly Affairs in the Ministry of Gender, Social Welfare and Community Development.