Civil society organisations (CSOs) from Chitipa, Karonga and Rumphi districts have urged communities near the Chiweta-Karonga Road to protect construction materials for the rehabilitation of the section of the M1.
The appeal comes after Minister of Transport and Public Works Jappie Mhango said in August that contractors will start rehabilitation works in November this year.
To ensure that construction materials are safe, the CSOs ran an awareness campaign last week at Karonga Boma, Mwenilondo, Nyungwe and Uliwa in Karonga as well as Chiweta and Chitimba trading centres in Rumphi.
Rumphi District Civil Society Organisations (CSO) Network chairperson Jaih Kanyondo said they wanted to lobby for security for construction materials.
He said: “Our role is to support government on development, raise awareness campaigns on various critical issues, advocate for development as well as provide checks and balances to government. So, we have asked people to support the project. They should desist from stealing construction materials to ensure successful completion of the works.”
Taxi operator Medical Msiska, who operates on the Chiweta-Uliwa-Karonga Boma Road, described the road as a death trap.
“We are forced to carry out vehicles maintenance more often due to the poor condition of the road,” he said.
Chitimba resident Mercy Nyirenda welcomed the message from the CSOs and pledged to encourage others to protect the construction materials.
“This is a crucial road as it links the country with Tanzania. Therefore, we need to guard the materials to ensure the project’s smooth implementation,” she said.
