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Ministry of Transport and Public Works says it has started assessing State Residences to establish their conditions and make recommendations before President Peter Mutharika can move in. The ministry’s spokesperson Watson Maingo in an interview yesterday confirmed that the assessment by the Buildings Department started about a week ago following a request from the State Residences. “The assessment will be concluded as soon as possible so that whatever will be recommended is attended to soon,” he said. But Maingo said he could not provide details of the scope of the assessment or the findings so far, stating that a report will be submitted to the State Residences after conclusion of the exercise. The ministry’s website states that the Buildings Department is a hub for all maintenance works to government buildings. Meanwhile, Mutharika, who is operating from his private residences in Blantyre and Mangochi since his inauguration on October 4, said yesterday that it will take some time for Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe to be ready for occupancy. Speaking during the inauguration of the Poppy Appeal Week, the President said the annual event was being held at his Page House in Mangochi this year because Kamuzu Palace underwent challenges. “We will be using Page House until the other lodge is ready. I don’t know when but I hope it’s in the near future,” he said. Following his victory in the September 16 General Election, Mutharika has also presided over official functions at Sanjika Palace in Blantyre, including on October 21 for the swearing-in of Second Vice-President Enock Chihana as well as Cabinet ministers Roza Fatch Mbilizi and George Partridge. Earlier this month, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) spokesperson Shadric Namalomba told The Nation that Kamuzu Palace in Lilongwe was not fit for occupation following purported acts of vandalism. However, immediate-past State Residences chief of staff Prince Kapondamgaga said the residences were handed over to the DPP administration in good order. In the 2025/26 National Budget passed before the September 16 2025 General Election, the State Residences were allocated K67 billion.
