Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Atupele Muluzi made the remarks in Parliament when he responded to a matter raised by Mzimba Solola Member of Parliament Jacob Hara on the implementation of the program. Muluzi said government was working tirelessly to ensure smooth progress of the program. He said in the last financial year the program used about K2 billion to construct houses for the poor  in communities of the country.

‘There are people who lack proper housing in communities and there is need for government to take care of their situation,’ lamented Muluzi 

However, some members of the opposition side were curious to know the progress so far saying the Minister should tell the house through a ministerial statement. One of the opposition members Juliana Lunguzi from Dedza East suggested that the program be stopped to direct the funds to improving education standard in the country.

In his response the Minister said it was unfortunate to note that some opposition parliamentarian were politicizing the program. The Minister said there is a number of programs in the education sector that are earmarked to help with school fees for the needy and rehabilitation of schools in the country. He said this particular program is to alleviate the suffering of those who don’t have a decent housing and are at risk with their situation.

‘Honourable members you may wish to know that when the state president started this program he was responding to a problem that was there in rural areas of the country, people may lack school fees but a decent house is also a human rights issue,’ Muluzi said amid applause from government back benchers. 

 
Muluzi said the program is aimed at improving living conditions for poor Malawians regardless of their political affiliation.