K1.9bn for Karonga roads rehabilitation
Government has announced that it has allocated K1.9 billion in the 2024/25 financial year for the sectional periodic maintenance, shoulder reconditioning and sectional rehabilitation of the Chiweta-Karonga and Kanyala Border-Karonga roads.
This is according to the notice of intention of award of contracts dated September 5 2024 from the Roads Authority (RA).
The notice reads in part: “The RA with funding from the Government of Malawi has budgeted for the procurement of various road and bridge maintenance construction works and consultancy services in the 2024/25 year.
“In accordance with Section 48 of Public Procurement and Disposal Act (2017), the RA hereby gives notice to all the bidders that participated in the tender process and the general public of its intention to award the works contracts to the successful bidders.”
Meanwhile, the Chiweta-Karonga road maintenance project valued at K1 billion, has been awarded to SOS Construction Company.
“Sectional rehabilitation of the Kanyala Border-Karonga Roundabout in Chitipa and Karonga districts pegged at over K940.5 million has been awarded to DEC/Bespat Joint Venture,” reads the report.
Captain Tours Bus service assistant operations manager Miles Tchingatchinga said the road’s poor condition was affecting operations.
In an interview yesterday, RA spokesperson Portia Kajanga confirmed the development, saying the importance of the two roads cannot be over emphasised.
She said: “For example, the road from Karonga to Chitipa to the Kanyala border with Zambia is important in that it facilitates trade between Malawi and Zambia.
“On the other hand, it also connects to the road to Ilomba, leading into Tanzania where many small and medium enterprises go to buy goods at Tunduma in Tanzania.”
Kajanga said the Chiweta-Karonga Road is equally important as it leads to the Songwe Border Post which facilitates business between Malawi and Tanzania through Kyela
