The K10 billion Likoma Jetty is yet to come into use over a month after Minister of Transport and Public Works Jacob Hara said the pier would be partially opened within 30 days.
He said this in Likoma District on April 15 2025 during a funeral ceremony for 11 people who died in a boat accident as they attempted to board the marine vessel (MV) Chilembwe.
Our observations indicate that nothing has been moving on the jetty as workers were last seen on site between July and August 2024.
In a written response on Wednesday, Hara said due to payment delays from the Treasury on outstanding works, the contractor, Mota-Engil Malawi, has not fixed the beams underneath.
He said construction works were halted due to delays in payment.
“We were going to allow ships to dock on the port to ease boarding and disembarking although the other facilities are yet to be opened. We are remaining with underwater beam fixation,” said Hara.
But Treasury spokesperson Williams Banda said the Ministry of Transport and Public Works would best explain funding issues, adding that the project was fully funded in April 2025.
“That is a Ministry of Transport issue. The project was funded in April 2025. We funded it fully,” he said.
On the other hand, Mota-Engil Malawi public relations manager Thomas Chafunya also referred us back to the ministry, saying the details we sought could best be provided by government which is their client.
According to the Public Sector Investment Programme, Likoma Jetty was allocated K2 billion in the 2025/26 financial year with another K2 billion expected in 2026/27.
