Govt to rehabilitate roads—Minister

Ministry of Transport and Public Works Infrastructure has disclosed that it will embark on projects to improve the road network in the country.

Minister responsible, Sidik Mia said this on Monday in his response to questions raised by members of Parliament on what plans Government had for rural roads.

He said in the 2013/14 National Budget K9 billion was allocated for the programme.

“I wish to inform the august House that government has prioritised upgrading roads in our districts. Every road that was earmarked for rehabilitation and upgrading will be done,” Mia said.

He added that government has already dispatched six graders to 28 districts of the country and that 10 more will be sent.

“We have about 49 graders and we have at the moment dispatched six of them and the other 10 would be dispatched this week,” he explained.

Mia pointed out that bigger districts will get more graders.

However, the minister summoned the MPs to comprehensively liaise with district councils and ensure that the roads under the project are done.

Earlier, Lilongwe Msinja South MP Lingson Belekamanya asked the Minister of Transport and Public Works and Infrastructure to construct a timber bridge at Mowa across Lisungwi River.

Belekanyama said once upgraded, the road and the bridge will help people in the area to travel to Malambe and Mitundu hospitals.

Blantyre Bangwe MP Henry Shaba also asked Mia to consider upgrading all roads in Bangwe to bitumen standards because most of the roads were impassable during rainy season.—Mana