A NEW Government complex and 300 housing units will be constructed in Chipata in Eastern Province as the area strives to attain the city status.

Local Government and Housing Deputy Minister Forrie Tembo has since given a three week ultimatum to Chipata Municipal Council to find space for the construction of the complex and housing units.

Mr Tembo said the Government has released money for the construction of Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) offices, Drug Enforcement Commission (DEC) and immigration offices.

Other structures to be constructed are provincial police headquarters and High Court premises in the border town.

"Government has released money for development projects in Chipata and to this effect I have given a-three-week ultimatum to Chipata Municipal Council to find a land or space for the construction of structures," he said.

Mr Tembo said this in an interview after meeting management and staff at the council at the weekend.

He explained that it had become difficult to undertake any development in the Eastern Province because of illegal land allocation.

"I am disappointed that Chipata has no open land for development due to illegal land allocation going on now," he said.

The local authority will have to find land for the Government project.

Mr Tembo said some unplanned settlements in the border town will also have to upgraded.

Town Clerk Ekan Chingagu said the relocation of the Chipata Golf Course was the only alternative of creating space for development projects.

Recently Eastern Province Permanent Secretary Emmanuel Mwamba indicated that Chipata had all the prerequisites to attain a city status.