By Jones Gadama
In a move aimed at improving the country’s road infrastructure, Minister of Transport and Public Works, Jacob Hara, has officially handed over the Chiweta-Karonga stretch of the M1 Road to SOS Construction for maintenance works.
The contractor is set to commence work next week, bringing much-needed relief to road users who have been grappling with the poor state of the road.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Hara emphasized the importance of the road, which has been in a state of disrepair for over 25 years.
“This is an important road for our country, but it hasn’t been maintained for the past 25 years. The good news is that the government has brought in contractors who will start working on this road to make sure it is in a good state,” he said.
The Minister revealed that multiple contractors will be working on the road to ensure that the work is completed in the shortest time possible.
SOS Construction will be working on the Chiweta to Uliwa section, while another set of contractors will focus on patching potholes from Uliwa to Karonga.
Hara stressed that prompt and timely maintenance of roads is a cost-effective approach that saves money and conserves resources in the long run. “Rather than waiting for roads to deteriorate further, we are taking proactive steps to maintain them. This approach will not only improve the road infrastructure but also enhance the safety of road users,” he added.
Roads Authority Regional Manager for the North, Fletcher Mkandawire, echoed the Minister’s sentiments, highlighting the challenges posed by the poor state of the road.
“The Chiweta-Karonga M1 Road has developed so many potholes, posing nightmares for road users. We have received assurance that the initial funding to start the works has been put in place, and that’s the reason why we have brought SOS Construction to start working on the road,” he said.
Mkandawire revealed that the government has set aside resources to work on the road for a period of almost six months.
“We are confident that the maintenance works will improve the road’s condition and make it safer for users,” he added.
The maintenance works on the Chiweta-Karonga M1 Road are a welcome development for road users, who have been calling for urgent attention to the road’s poor state.
With the contractor set to commence work next week, hopes are high that the road will soon be restored to its former glory.
As the government continues to invest in the country’s road infrastructure, it is clear that the maintenance works on the Chiweta-Karonga M1 Road are a step in the right direction.
With the Minister’s assurance that multiple contractors will be working on the road, it is likely that the work will be completed within the stipulated timeframe, bringing relief to road users and boosting the country’s economic development.
