Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of Karonga Diocese has called on government to swiftly consider rehabilitating the Karonga-Chiweta section of the M1 to ease mobility and enhance trade.
CCJP desk officer Obert Mkandawire made the appeal on Tuesday after his institution devised an advocacy strategy with the district’s civil society organisations (CSOs).
He described the road as a death trap and affects the socio-economic development of the district and country.
Said Mkandawire: “The road’s contribution to the district’s and country’s socio-economic development cannot be overemphasised because the Northern Corridor connects Malawi and Tanzania.
“Any negligence negatively affects trans-border trade, tourism and commuters who are paying more on transport.”
Karonga District CSO Network chairperson Edgar Phiri said stakeholders will also brief traditional leaders and community members before engaging government institutions by June 30 2026.
“Such institutions include the Roads Authority, Roads Fund Administration, Minister of Transport and Public Works and Parliamentary Committee on Lands, Transport and Public Works,” he said.
On her part, the district’s concerned citizens representative Vanessa Sinkhala said the road affects referrals from Karonga and Chitipa district hospitals to Mzuzu Central Hospital.
Taking his turn, a youth representative Davie Kitalu said the country’s landlocked status makes the section important as most imported goods, including fuel pass through the road.
In a separate interview, Minister of Transport and Public Works Jappie Mhango said the government is already working towards rehabilitation of the road and bids for the same will be floated in newspapers any day this month.
He said: “It is our wish that the project commences before the onset of rains. Resources will be identified for the project.
Chiweta-Karonga section lies along the M1 stretching from Songwe Border down to Nsanje. Currently, RA is rehabilitating a section of the M1 from Lilongwe through Mzuzu to Chiweta in Rumphi.
