Minister talks tough on Songwe road standards

Minister of Transport and Public Works Jappie Mhango has warned Zhejiang Communications Construction Group CO Limited (ZCCC) against substandard works in the construction of the Karonga Songwe Road.

Speaking on Saturday in Karonga when he presided over the ground-breaking ceremony of the $20.4 million (about K15 billion) road, Mhango said government is strict on standards and there is no other way to do roads apart from ensuring quality.

He stressed that if ZCCC wants to remain in business in Malawi, it has to maintain high standards and ensure the road is constructed according to the design.

Mhango also called on chiefs and people in the district to help police by ensuring that equipment for the project is not stolen.

Traditional Authority Kilipura, who represented Paramount Chief Kyungu at the ceremony, called on government to upgrade some of the roads in the district which become impassable during the rainy season.

ZCCC business manager Alex Zhan said ZCCC is well known for high standards in project implementation.