Area 49 residents discontented with road project

Residents of Area 49 in Lilongwe have expressed concern over the slow progress and quality of work on the Gulliver, Area 49/6, Federation, Shire Junction Road project whose deadline has been extended.

In an interview yesterday when The Nation visited the site, Area 49 New Shire Development Committee chairperson Stanley Kamoza Chiumia said the project was scheduled for 120 days from August 3 to December 2 2023, but the deadline has since been extended to January 24.

Said Chiumia: “Looking at the time allocated to this project and the work that has been done, we are not sure as to whether the contractor will be able to finish on time.

“There is a portion along the stretch of the road that has partially washed away. When we contact the contractor on this project, the response is not satisfying.”

When contacted, Lilongwe City Council director of engineering services Julius Tsogolani said the contractor has asked for more time and financing following the depreciation of the kwacha against the dollar.

He said completion of the project depends on various factors, including timely approval of the funds which the contractor has requested.

Said Tsogolani “We have funds in this year’s budget for escalation, but it is a process.

So, project completion on time also depends on us as a council approving the escalation request following the 44 percent devaluation of Malawi kwacha.” .

On the portion where part of the road has been washed away, he said it is because the rains fell before the contractor erected protection outside the culverts to protect the road