By Linda Kwanjana
The people of Zomba-Chingale have expressed concern over delays in completing the Lirangwe-Chingale-Machinga Road project.
For starters, on May 31, 2018, former President Arthur Peter Mutharika assured people in the area that commencement of the construction of the road would enhance economic activities for the people of Blantyre, Zomba, and Machinga districts upon its completion but it never materialised.
Mutharika made those promises at Linjidzi Primary School ground in the area of Traditional Authority Lundu in Blantyre during the ground-breaking ceremony of the same 62-kilometre road which was expected to be constructed in three phases with funding from Malawi Government.
The former Malawian leader described the project as a proof of the National Transport Master Plan as outlined in the Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS 3) aimed at developing the transport sector.
But the stretch of the road still remains in a dilapidated state.
This is what John Thondolo said from Ngowe Village Traditional Authority Mulumbe in Zomba.
“We are asking the government to complete this road project. Pregnant women are delivering along the way, due to this bad road. We are also failing to transport our produce to the market since Zomba, Machinga and Blantyre are bread baskets for the country,” he said.
According to Thondolo, the road is crucial in revitalizing business in the area.
James Biswick, a tomato seller, says his business has been heavily affected because he cannot manage to transport his produce to the designated markets.
“Unfortunately, am heavily affected and am appealing to the government to help us,” he said.
Hawa Malikebo says she recalls her memory when struggled to go to the hospital during her time of pregnancy. “Thanks to the passing by vehicle which helped me to reach the hospital,” she said.
The first phase of the project, which was being constructed by Mota-Engil, started in April 2018 and was supposed to cover about 19 kilometres at a cost of K5.3 billion for a period of 18 months. But was abandoned.
