Govt pushes for fast tracking of Zomba-Blantyre road

Minister of Transport and Public Works Ulemu Chilapondwa has asked the contractor of the Zomba-Blantyre road project to fast track the project which was initially due for completion last month.

Speaking on Wednesday after touring the project Chilapondwa said he was not happy with the delay of the project which has so far been attributed to the rainy season.

The project has according to the Roads Authority (RA) been re-scheduled for completion in August this year.

But the minister noted that the delay has been affecting motorists especially in Limbe where it has been causing congestion.

“I am not happy with how the works are progressing and I have asked the contractor and the consultant to complete the works as soon as possible. They have of course explained that they have delayed on the project because of the rains. I have discussed with them that because the rains have come to an end they should hasten the project especially at Maselema in Limbe where the project is causing congestion,” said Chilapondwa.

He added that he has even requested the contractor to add more man hours even if it means working at night.

The project which according to the RA has a contract sum of about K5.5 billion with consultancy contract of K463.5 million has an extended construction period of about 29 months.

The project is co-financed by the African Development Bank and the Malawi government.

To date overall physical progress stands at 63.1 percent while about 85 percent of time period has elapsed.

According to the authority the works of the road which passes through Blantyre, Chiradzulu and Zomba districts and connects the old capital to the commercial city comprise widening the carriage way to seven metres, plus 1.5 m shoulders on either side.

The authority, however, acknowledges that there were challenges including the rains that stalled the works however the project progress is expected to pick up as the rains are coming to an end.

The contractor has so far submitted recovery programme to catch up with the works.