Group wants commitment to Neno Road Project

Neno Road Advocacy Network has asked government to commit to the construction of a tarmac road in Neno District.

In the just ended meeting of Parliament, the group of civil society leaders sought Parliament’s intervention by presenting a petition seeking a timeline from authorities on the road project.

The network’s chairperson Robert Ngaiyaye said in a statement yesterday that it was worrisome that Neno was the only district in the country that has no tarmac road.

“We requested for an audience with President Lazarus Chakwera, but he has not responded yet,” he said. 

Ngaiyaye said they need concrete responses such as timelines on when the project of the road will start.

“We also want to hear that funds have been identified,” he said. 

Ministry of Transport and Public Works spokesperson Andrew Mthiko said while people are looking forward to Mwanza-Neno Road with keen interest, government is implementing the project in phases from Ntcheu-Tsangano  to the district.

He said the first phase comprising 21 kilometres (km) is being constructed by the Malawi Defence Force from Tsangano Turn-Off to Kambilonjo.

Mthiko said: “This phase is at an advanced stage. The second phase is the preparatory phase, 20 km from Kambilonjo to Neno.

“The contractor was identified, but the ministry is yet to get assurance on the availability of funding.”

He said from Neno Boma to Mwanza Road section, whose funding and contractor were yet to be identified, it will be constructed in the third phase.