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Chingale Road task force waits for JB response

Representatives of communities affected by the poor condition of the Machinga-Chingale-Lirangwe Road say they are waiting to meet Malawi President Joyce Banda after asking for an appointment with her.

The communities have been pushing government to upgrade the road to bitumen standard because the current earth road is impassable, especially during rainy season.

Zomba Diocese Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace coordinator Joseph Nthondo in an interview yesterday said chiefs and the road task force members are waiting for a response to the letter submitted to the President’s office on July 11 this year.

Recently, during the 100 days celebrations of President Banda’s office, Minister of Transport Sidik Mia said the detailed designs and feasibility study of the road project is underway and is expected to be completed in four months.

“Civil works are expected to be undertaken following the studies after procuring the contractor,” said Mia.

But the Budget and Finance Committee of Parliament in June raised a red flag on why the road was left out in the 2012/13 budget.

In the budget, which Finance Minister Dr Ken Lipenga presented on June 8 this year, K23 billion went to Transport and Public Infrastructure, K12 billion to road projects started by the DPP administration of Bingu wa Mutharika and are at various stages of construction.

The road passes through traditional authorities Nkula of Machinga, Mlumbe of Zomba and Lundu of Blantyre.

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