Residents of Lilongwe will have to wait longer for the relocation of the Area 38 dumping site, as the Lilongwe City Council (LCC) says it still needs over MK400 million to compensate affected communities at the new designated site in Chiseseta.

Initially, the council had planned to move the dump site by the end of July, but LCC Chief Executive Officer Mcloud Kadammanja admits the process will take more time due to funding constraints.  

“We have followed all relocation procedures, but financial challenges have delayed progress," Kadammanja said. “We are working to address the funding gap and advise residents to be patient as this process will require more time."

Amid the setback, environmental expert Godfrey Mfiti has called for urgent action. 

“The council must not only fast-track the relocation but also establish sanitary or engineered landfills at both the current and new sites to improve waste management," he urged.  

Mayor Councilor Esther Sagawa emphasized the council’s commitment to resolving the issue. 

“There is political will to ensure smooth operations, but we must also secure the necessary resources," she said.  

The delay comes two years after the Parliamentary Committee on Natural Resources and Climate Change demanded the immediate closure of the dumping site, citing health and environmental risks due to its proximity to residential areas.