Plans are at advanced stages for major public offices mainly the Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) as well as the immigration department to be moved to Lilongwe.

The authorities have also hinted that the immigration department and the judiciary are to be headquartered in the capital.

Speaking to Zodiak Online Wednesday, economic expert Edward Chilima while admitting that the move is likely to bear some economic repercussions for the commercial city, he has hinted that the move is going to facilitate  easy coordination among the various government’s departments.

“All factors being constant, you would expect all critical government offices to be at the centre where the government sits is for easy coordination. This is quite common in all developed countries. Much as this would affect business in Blantyre city in the short term, but the city should be able to adjust”, said Chilima.

However the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) through its spokesperson, Yusufu Mwawa has urged government to trade cautiously on the matter to avoid disenfranchising the socio- economic activities for the commercial city dwelers.

In 2006 former president Bingu wa Mutharika also relocated some government's offices which were housed in the commercial city of Blantyre moving them to the capital hill in Lilongwe.