Chakwera launches upgrading works for Mzimba Street and Kenyatta Drive into six lanes
President Lazarus Chakwera says as a Capital City, Lilongwe deserves better attention thus his administration’s commitment to upgrading Mzimba Street and Kenyatta Drive — connects Lilongwe Old town and the City Centre — into triple carriage way.
At the ground breaking ceremony on Tuesday, Chakwera also disclosed that in few months time, the government will launch the rehabilitation works of the Lilongwe-Blantyre M1 Road with funding from development partners.
He said the upgrading of roads and implementation of many other projects will create more jobs for citizens, that will in turn empower them economically.
The ground breaking was done at Bingu International Convention Center (BICC) near Parliament roundabout — the junction for Kenyatta that passes through Bisnowaty past Tsoka market near Constantini to Shoprite in Area 3.
The President warned that justice will take its course for those involved in corrupt practices that derail development projects.
Deputy Minister of Transport, Nancy Mdooko said government is very committed to upgrade dozens of roads to improve road network in the country.
She said the upgrade works will include construction of an additional bridge along Lingadzi River and partial Clover Leaf Interchange to replace the roundabout at Kamuzu Central Hospital Petroda filling station, among many roads earmarked for construction and upgrading.
Commencing on Wednesday, September 1, the 3.9km road construction will take 18 months and to be ready for use by February 23, 2023 to be installed with street lights — all costing about K19 billion.
Mzimba road will be upgraded from Crossroads roundabout to Central Medical Stores. Other roads earmarked for upgrade that are included in the 2021/2022 budget are expansion to dual carriage way of the M1 Road from Kamuzu International Airport junction to Mzimba Turn-off.
In his remarks, Roads Authority Board chairperson, Joe Ching’ani said the road will be constructed with high standards that will be durable.
“The Board is very ready to offer good works on roads and bridges, not substandard services,” he said. “Apart from having massive facelift, once completed, it will reduce travel time which used to take nearly one hour, it will now be only 10 minutes.
“It will also enhance road safety between pedestrians and motorists and reducing operating costs in terms of wear and tear and usage of fuel.”
Ching’ani added that the challenge suffocating fast and timely completion of services was late funding of projects.
“Your Excellency, the big problem we have is the new IFIMIS at Capitol Hill, which sits on money without being released for long — slowing development and retarding your image in process.
“Vetting is another big challenge that we must mention that Roads Authority is very uncomfortable with. I know by saying this, I will step on someone’s foot,” Ching’ani said.
He then assured the gathering that the Roads Authority will not accommodate shoddy work in any project.
The road upgrading, is in line with the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS III), 2018; Transport Master Plan 2018 and the MW2063, 2021) — which are recent policy documents that articulate issues related to both economic growth and development in the transport sector.
With funding from Malawi Government, through the Ministry of Transport, the road is being constructed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Company, with Roads Authority as implementing agency, under the supervision of David Consulting Engineers.
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JUST TO REACH THE MULANJE MOUNTAIN somebody is in the news? How about somebody be given a job to feed his family? What has the MULANJE MOUNTAIN to do with the jobless Malawians? Kilimanjaro of KENYA is two times higher than our MULANJE mountain.Our people need JOBS to take care of their families,they need hospitals and good roads to take their LOADS into Towns to sell and get money to feed their children.To the people of the NORTH,they would need the ROAD FROM RUMPHI to LIVINGSTONIA (MUMBWE) and from RUMPHI to CHITIPA.FINALLY,BRAVO USI !!!!!!!!!!
This is indeed a very welcome development, we are happy with the spirit to increase the number of vehicles on the roads thereby easing movement. I hope simukuwerengera ndalama zopeza mma toll gates. Hahahahahahaha. Kungomva kuti salary ikwezedwa mwezi wamawa, ndiye tengani ngongole mwaanthu amvekere ndibweza kuwerengera salary ija yomwe sinafike. Hahahahahaha.
If we were serious about road infrastructure, M1 wouldn’t be the way it is, especially from Lilongwe to Kasungu. And if we were serious about productive development the first road for construction would have been lake shore. And if we were really serious in this country 19 billion would have been used for better project not this “presidential legacy or lozani zanu” projects.
But then we joke too much
Welcome development. Next time consider Lilongwe – Kasungu road which is a DEATH TRAP. Otherwise we applaud this move.
Uku nde kuyankhula kwa mzeru
Mukamapanga plan ma project amenewa, mukumbukirenso lakeshore road
Its agood idea,this we will also modify the face of our capital city Lilongwe.big to HE Chakwera
Its a shame that so many trees were cut down and will continuing to cut down. Will it not be a good idea that for every tree cut down, the authorities should plant ten new trees. Just last week everyone was talking about the cost of climate change. On one hand the citizens are doing tree planting exercise and the other hand trees are being cut down. Can any NGO take up the issue as a public interest litigation
Instead of ending the 6 lane road at LL National Bank it would make more sense if the road passed via the Lizulu market and over the LL river and joining the M1 road. This would ensure smooth traffic flow. Instead of an interchange at the Petroda round about put robots there. Use the funds for the interchange to construct the bridge over the LL river that will connect the road onto the M1.
Thumbs up even though long overdue. Don’t understand why we’ve always relayed on foreign investment to sort out our infrastructure developments and maintain them for us. We will learn
Mmanja umooooo bwanaaa