Stop order on Ruo Bridge lifted, construction works continue

Government has temporarily lifted the stop order issued by the National Construction Industry Council (NCIC) ordering contractor Mota Engil to suspend construction works for Ruo Bridge in Nsanje for failure to comply with the Subcontractin and Joint Venture by Foreign and Malawian Construction Firms Order, 2014.

The order requires foreign contractors to subcontract a minimum of 30 percent of work in volume and value to Malawian firms.

Speaking on Tuesday after touring works on the Bridge and the Thyolo-Thekerani -Makhanga road, Deputy Minister of Transport and Public Works Nancy Chaola Mdooko said the contractor justified that they could not subcontract works on the bridge at this stage because it requires special equipment and expertise.

Mdooko further said her Ministry also looked at the timing saying the contractor needed to finalise some of the works to avoid being disrupted by rains.

“The technical team and all those concerned will sit down to discuss the way forward on this matter. But we are proceeding with the work,” said Mdooko.

Commenting on the same, director of railway services in the Ministry of Transport Geoffrey Magwede, said the order that was issued last week has not had any effect on works on the project following the quick intervention by the Ministry.

He said: “immediately after receiving the order, the contractor reacted and presented its justification grounds. Among the grounds, Mota Engil has promised to subcontract part of the work to Malawian contractors once it is done at this stage.”

Construction works on 175 metres bridge that will combine both rail and road transport started in November 2020 and was expected to be completed in November 2021.

However, Covid-19 affected the timely implementation of the project as some
specialists and specialised geotechnical investigation equipment could not come
into the country due to international travel restrictions.

Currently, pilling for all piers and both abutments has been completed. Five of the seven pier caps have been completed and construction of the remaining two pier caps and crossbeams is in progress.

The bridge connects the now disjointed Thyolo – Thekerani – Makhanga road enabling access to the agricultural rich Makhanga area. At the moment, Makhanga can only be accessed by boat and canoes.

The construction of the bridge is complementary to the Thyolo – Thekerani -Makhanga road and the rehabilitation of the Chiromo Limbe railway line.

The K7 billion project is being funded by the Malawi government through the Rail Fund.

The minister also expressed satisfaction with construction works on the Thyolo-Thekerani-Muona-Makhanga
Road.

The K32.8 billion 83km road is being funded by the Saudi Fund, Kuwait Fund, Opec Fund,
Badea and Malawi Government. Work progress is at 92 percent.